How biological aging affects cervical cancer outcomes for women with HIV in Zambia
Official title: The Impact of Biologic Aging on Immunity-Related Cervical Cancer Outcome Disparities Among Women Living with HIV in Zambia
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11161405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares biological aging markers in women with HIV in Zambia to see if faster aging relates to worse side effects and cancer outcomes from standard chemoradiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $663,373 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284623-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161405 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women in Zambia living with HIV who have locally advanced cervical cancer and are planning to receive standard chemoradiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
People without cervical cancer, those not receiving chemoradiation, or individuals outside the participating sites in Zambia are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will enroll women in Zambia with locally advanced cervical cancer, including those living with HIV, and collect blood and tumor samples around the time of chemoradiation to measure DNA methylation 'epigenetic clocks' and immune markers. They will compare each person’s biological age to their actual age and to clinical outcomes such as treatment side effects, tumor response, and survival. The team will analyze molecular lab tests alongside medical records to identify patterns linking accelerated aging and immunity to worse outcomes. Results may point to biological markers that help explain disparities and guide more personalized care for women with HIV and cervical cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify women at higher risk of poor outcomes so care and follow-up can be better targeted or adjusted.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows people with HIV often have accelerated epigenetic aging linked to worse health, but applying these measures specifically to cervical cancer treatment outcomes in Zambia is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Lilie Leming — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lin, Lilie Leming
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Biologic aging and immune outcomes in cervical cancer among women with HIV in Zambia
This project looks at how aging at the biological level affects cervical cancer outcomes for women living with HIV in Zambia.
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Aging and HIV-related cervical cancer outcomes in women in Zambia
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Cervical cancer outcomes in women with HIV in Zambia and aging biology
A research project is studying how aging processes affect cervical cancer outcomes in women living with HIV in Zambia and what this means for their treatment.
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How biologic aging affects cervical cancer outcomes in women with HIV in Zambia
This project looks at whether accelerated biological aging tied to HIV changes immune function and treatment results for women with cervical cancer in Zambia.
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How aging affects cervical cancer outcomes in women with HIV in Zambia
This project looks at whether faster biological aging in women with HIV changes how they respond to standard chemoradiation for cervical cancer.
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How aging affects cervical cancer outcomes in women with HIV in Zambia
This study is looking at how aging affects cervical cancer treatment in women with HIV in Zambia, aiming to find ways to improve care and support for those who may not have easy access to screening and treatment.
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.