Better screening for anal cancer in people at higher risk
Official title: Screening Strategies Among High-Risk Populations for Anal Cancer
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11401675 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for biological and immune signals that could spot early precancerous changes in people at high risk for 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 | September 12, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $79,566 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA285198-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401675 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at elevated risk for anal cancer—such as those with persistent high-risk HPV infection, a history of high-grade anogenital disease, or chronic immune suppression—are the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without anal cancer risk factors or those unwilling to provide tissue/samples and attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
If you are at higher risk for anal cancer because of persistent high-risk HPV, past high-grade anogenital disease, or immune problems, researchers will invite you to enrolled clinics for exams and sample collection. They will collect local tissue or swabs and medical and lifestyle information across multiple sites and follow participants over time. Lab teams will study DNA methylation patterns and local immune profiles in the tissue and combine this with environmental data to find markers that predict whether precancerous lesions will progress or clear. The hope is to use these markers to guide more timely screening and personalized care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect precancerous anal lesions earlier and target who needs treatment versus watchful waiting.
How similar studies have gone: Research in HPV-related anogenital cancers suggests methylation and immune markers can signal cancer risk, but applying these markers specifically to anal aHSIL is relatively new and still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flowers, Lisa C. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Flowers, Lisa C.
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.
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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.
-
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.
-
Anal cancer screening for people with HIV using genomic methods
A patient-centered screening approach using a genomic test to detect anal precancers in people with HIV, aiming to catch disease earlier and reduce unnecessary procedures.
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.