Epigenetics of oral HPV-related mouth and throat cancer in people with HIV in Nigeria
Official title: Epigenetic study of oral HPV infection-associated oral cancer in people living with HIV in Nigeria
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11401243 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for DNA markers in people living with HIV in Nigeria to find who has or might develop HPV-related mouth and throat cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $289,303 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA274952-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401243 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV in Nigeria, especially those attending partner clinics who can provide oral exams and biological samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV, those living outside the study sites in Nigeria, or individuals already treated for advanced oral cancer are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would be part of a group of people living with HIV in Nigeria who get oral exams and provide samples like saliva, blood, or small tissue biopsies. Researchers will test those samples for HPV and for DNA methylation changes that can signal cancer risk. They will compare people with and without oral lesions and follow them over time to see which markers predict progression to cancer. The goal is to use those markers to design better screening and earlier detection and prevention approaches that could be used in clinics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection and targeted prevention for people with HIV who are at risk of HPV-related mouth and throat cancers.
How similar studies have gone: DNA methylation marker approaches have shown promise for HPV-related cancers in other settings, but applying them to oral HPV in people with HIV in Nigeria is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hou, Lifang — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Hou, Lifang
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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.