EBV-related lymphoma in people with immune deficiency: understanding what drives the disease
Official title: EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: defining biologic determinants of disease pathogenesis in immunodeficiency
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11300775 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist team will study a type of blood cancer linked to the Epstein-Barr virus in people with immune system problems to learn what makes it worse and how we can diagnose and treat it better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $276,862 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA300927-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11300775 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with EBV-positive DLBCL who have immune deficiency, including those with HIV or iatrogenic immunodeficiency, from global cohorts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without EBV-positive DLBCL or without immune deficiency are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project will examine how EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma behaves in people with different kinds of immune deficiency, including HIV in Southern Africa and iatrogenic immunity in the United States. Researchers will compare EBV latency patterns and how they relate to patient health outcomes using existing patient cohorts. They will also explore how EBV changes gene activity and epigenetic marks to help the cancer evade the immune system, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential therapy targets. The work aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, better classify disease, and pave the way for targeted treatments across diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive faster and more accurate diagnoses and future therapies tailored to EBV-associated lymphoma in the context of immune deficiency.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked EBV latency to cancer behavior, but this project extends findings to diverse immunodeficiency settings and aims to define diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volaric, Ashley Keller — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Volaric, Ashley Keller
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in people with weakened immune systems
Researchers will compare tumor and virus features in people with EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who have weakened immune systems from HIV or medical treatments to better link biology to health outcomes.
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Understanding how EBV affects lymphoma in patients with weakened immune systems
This study is looking at how the Epstein-Barr virus affects a type of cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, especially in people with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV, to help find better ways to diagnose and treat this illness.
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Immune Evasion by HLA-E in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
A researcher is studying how a molecule called HLA-E helps a type of blood cancer (DLBCL) hide from the immune system, with findings that may lead to better treatments.
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Cardioprotective treatment choices for DLBCL patients at risk of heart damage
Atrially, this study tests two heart-protecting drugs given during cancer treatment to see which best prevents heart problems in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who are at higher risk for heart damage.
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Translating Genomics to Practice to Overcome Disparities in DLBCL
A patient-focused project aims to understand why diffuse large B-cell lymphoma outcomes differ among people and how genomic information can guide better care for diverse groups.
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From pathogenesis to new targets for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
A patient-focused look at how this research aims to uncover new genetic clues to guide targeted therapies for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
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.