How HPV, EBV, and KSHV cause cancer and hide in the body
Viral Oncogenesis, Latency, and Replication
Researchers are working to understand how three viruses linked to cancer (HPV, EBV, and KSHV) change cells and evade the immune system so better treatments for virus-related cancers can be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125999 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this project looks at three viruses that are known to cause cancers in people and asks how they make cells grow abnormally and avoid the immune system. Scientists will examine viral genes and proteins, study extracellular vesicles that infected cells release, and explore the roles of long non-coding RNAs and R-loops in the viral life cycle. Laboratory experiments will use cell cultures and animal models to test how these viral actions could be blocked, and the work is divided into multiple coordinated projects supported by shared research cores at UNC Chapel Hill. The goal is to find points where new treatments or prevention strategies might stop virus-driven cancer processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers known to be linked to HPV, EBV, or KSHV (for example cervical or oropharyngeal cancers, certain lymphomas, nasopharyngeal cancer, and Kaposi sarcoma) would be most directly relevant to the findings and any future clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not associated with these viruses or who have non-viral genetic conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat cancers caused by these viruses.
How similar studies have performed: Past research on these viruses has already led to major advances (for example the HPV vaccine and improved care for some EBV-related cancers), but many approaches in this program (like targeting lncRNAs or extracellular vesicles) are relatively new and less proven.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Damania, Blossom a — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Damania, Blossom a
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.