Developing a gene therapy for diseases caused by KSHV
Official title: Characterization of KSHV-Associated Disease Specific Gene Therapy
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11113680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new gene therapy that uses a special virus to help treat cancers linked to a virus called KSHV, aiming to deliver helpful genes directly to the tumor cells while also using an antiviral drug to slow down the cancer's growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $188,169 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA299587-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113680 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with KSHV-related malignancies, such as Kaposi's sarcoma or primary effusion lymphoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have KSHV-related diseases or those with other unrelated malignancies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a gene therapy using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to target diseases caused by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). The therapy aims to selectively deliver therapeutic genes to tumor cells that express the KSHV latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA), which is involved in tumor development. By utilizing the interaction between KSHV's genetic elements and LANA, the researchers hope to improve treatment outcomes for patients with KSHV-related malignancies. The approach includes using a specific antiviral drug to control tumor progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option for patients suffering from KSHV-associated cancers.
How similar studies have gone: While gene therapy approaches for viral-associated cancers are being explored, this specific application using AAV vectors for KSHV-related diseases is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro
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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.