Anal cancer prevention program for people living with HIV
Official title: Implementing an Evidence-Based, Multilevel Intervention for Primary Prevention of Anal Cancer among HIV Positive Adults
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11086839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program helps people living with HIV in Georgia get education, screening follow-up, and clinic support to lower their chance of developing anal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 29, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $391,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020154-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with HIV ages 18–45 who receive care at one of the participating HIV clinics in Georgia are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV, those outside the 18–45 age range, or those who do not get care at the participating clinics are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit.
What this research studies
You would receive a tailored prevention program delivered through your HIV clinic that combines education, reminders, and changes to clinic workflow to improve timely follow-up after abnormal anal Pap tests. The team will adapt the evidence-based 4 Pillars™ Transformation Program for use in both rural and urban HIV clinics across Georgia. About 365 adults living with HIV aged 18–45 who get care at the participating clinics will be enrolled and followed to see whether care and follow-up improve. The project uses the RE-AIM framework to guide how the program is implemented and measured across clinics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could reduce delays in follow-up care and help lower anal cancer risk among people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: The 4 Pillars™ program has improved prevention efforts in other settings, but applying it specifically to anal cancer prevention among people living with HIV is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wells, Jessica — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Wells, Jessica
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV+ MSM through screening and treatment of HSIL
This project tests a streamlined plan to prevent anal cancer in people living with HIV by screening for HSIL and treating it at clinics serving MSM.
-
Preventing anal cancer in people living with HIV
A topical form of HIV protease inhibitors is being tried to clear precancerous anal changes in people living with HIV.
-
Screening strategies to find anal cancer precursors in high-risk people
Researchers will study markers from DNA methylation and immune signals to better identify people at risk for anal cancer before it develops.
-
Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM through HSIL screening and treatment
This project tests a proven HSIL screening-and-treatment approach to prevent anal cancer in men living with HIV, using Ghana/Nigeria-based sites to learn how to implement it broadly.
-
Better screening for anal cancer in people at higher risk
This project looks for biological and immune signals that could spot early precancerous changes in people at high risk for anal cancer.
-
Screen-and-treat program to prevent anal cancer in people with HIV
This project offers regular anal screening and treatment to men who have sex with men living with HIV to lower their risk of anal cancer.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.