Epstein-Barr virus and eye cancer in people with HIV in Zimbabwe
Project 2: Novel investigation of Epstein-Barr virus as a potential cause of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma among people living with HIV in Zimbabwe
This project looks at whether Epstein-Barr virus may cause a type of eye cancer (conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma) in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178713 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will work with people living with HIV in Zimbabwe who have conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma or suspicious eye lesions. They will collect tumor and related tissue samples and use laboratory tests to look for signs of Epstein-Barr virus in the cancer tissue. The team will compare findings between people with the eye cancer and appropriate comparison groups to see if EBV is linked to the disease. The aim is to learn what causes this cancer so earlier detection and better treatments can be developed to prevent vision loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV in Zimbabwe who have been diagnosed with conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma or are being evaluated for suspicious conjunctival lesions.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those outside the recruitment area in Zimbabwe, or individuals without conjunctival lesions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If EBV is linked to this eye cancer, the work could lead to new ways to detect, prevent, or treat the disease and reduce vision‑threatening surgery for affected patients.
How similar studies have performed: Some early studies and the investigators' preliminary data suggest a possible role for EBV, but this hypothesis is still novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borok, Margaret Ziona — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Borok, Margaret Ziona
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 below.