Epigenetic control of KSHV latency in AIDS-related cancers
Official title: Epigenomic Control of KSHV Latency
Funded at Wistar Institute · NIH-11362383 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying how a herpesvirus that causes AIDS-related cancers stays latent and how this could be targeted to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2006 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $410,175 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA117830-19 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362383 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV/AIDS who are at risk for or have KSHV-associated cancers (KS, PEL, MCD, KICS) may benefit from future therapies emerging from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without KSHV infection or without AIDS-related malignancies are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Kaposi’s Sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) keeps its genes turned on and off in infected cells, which is important for cancers like KS and PEL seen in people with HIV/AIDS. Researchers will focus on the viral protein LANA and host factors that regulate chromatin and DNA structure to understand how latency is maintained and how reactivation happens. The work builds on prior findings about chromatin organizers and viral genome maintenance, aiming to pinpoint mechanisms that could be targeted to prevent cancer progression. Findings could inform new strategies to control the virus in patients and reduce cancer risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new targets to prevent KSHV from driving cancer in people with HIV/AIDS.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked LANA, chromatin factors, and latent-lytic switches to KSHV biology, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
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Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lieberman, Paul M. — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Lieberman, Paul M.
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.