Creating a mouse model to study Kaposi Sarcoma
Official title: PQ6: Transgenic Mouse Model for Kaposi Sarcoma
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10783749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating special mice to help us learn more about Kaposi Sarcoma, a cancer that affects people with HIV/AIDS, so we can better understand how it develops and find new treatments that might help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2020 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $492,087 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA250080-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10783749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV/AIDS who are at risk for developing Kaposi Sarcoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer unrelated to Kaposi Sarcoma may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new transgenic mouse model to better understand Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), a common cancer in individuals with HIV/AIDS. By inserting the complete genome of the KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) into these mice, researchers aim to observe how KS tumors form and progress. The study will also explore potential drug treatments for KS using this model, providing insights into the disease's mechanisms and therapeutic options. Patients may benefit from the findings as they could lead to improved treatment strategies for KS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Kaposi Sarcoma, improving outcomes for patients affected by this cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to studying Kaposi Sarcoma, the development of a comprehensive transgenic mouse model specifically for this cancer is a novel endeavor.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dittmer, Dirk P — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dittmer, Dirk P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Precision 3D Imaging to Monitor Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) with SkinScan3D
A new portable 3D imaging tool called SkinScan3D will help doctors measure KS skin lesions more accurately and quickly, especially in people living with HIV.
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Precision 3D Imaging to Track Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) with SkinScan3D
A new 3D imaging tool called SkinScan3D helps doctors monitor Kaposi sarcoma lesions more accurately and quickly, especially in settings with high KS burden like East Africa and in U.S. clinics with HIV patients.
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Kaposi Sarcoma care and research in Africa during ART era
A collaborative program to better understand and improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Kaposi sarcoma for people living with HIV in Zambia and Tanzania.
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Kaposi Sarcoma in Africa: ART Era Research Network
A collaborative program in Africa and the United States will study Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV on ART to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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Kaposi Sarcoma in Africa in the ART Era
This grant supports research to improve how Kaposi sarcoma is detected, treated, and understood in people living with HIV in Zambia and Tanzania during ART, with collaboration between African hospitals and a U.S. center.
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Faster detection and connection to care for people with HIV who develop Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa
This project aims to speed up finding people with HIV diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa and help them get linked to care more quickly.
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.