Cervical bacteria and immune defenses in African American women's cervical cancer
The Microbiome and Mucosal Immunity in Cervical Cancer Disparities
This project looks at how cervicovaginal bacteria and local immune responses may influence HPV infection and cervical cancer outcomes in African American women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306640 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would provide cervical samples and health information so researchers can measure the types of bacteria and immune signals in the genital tract. The team will compare these microbiome and mucosal immunity features between African American women and other groups to see which patterns are linked to persistent HPV or worsening cervical precancers. Lab tests will measure microbes and immune proteins and link those findings to clinical records like HPV status and biopsy results. The aim is to find local factors in the cervix that help explain higher cervical cancer mortality and point to new prevention or treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be African American women in the U.S. who are HPV-positive or undergoing screening or diagnosis for cervical precancer or cancer.
Not a fit: People without HPV infection, men, or those with advanced metastatic cervical cancer are less likely to receive direct short-term benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat persistent HPV and cervical cancer in African American women by targeting microbes or mucosal immune responses.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked vaginal bacteria and local immune signals to HPV persistence and precancers, but turning these links into proven treatments is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burgener, Adam — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Burgener, Adam
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 below.