How Kaposi's sarcoma virus (KSHV) stays hidden and persists in the body
KSHV Infection And Persistence
This project aims to uncover how KSHV hides and persists in people with HIV and KSHV-linked cancers to point toward better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318973 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will study where KSHV hides (especially in B cells and saliva), how its DNA persists as circular viral genomes, and why infection is common in people with HIV and in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers will use patient-derived samples, cell models, and molecular analyses to map viral and host factors that allow lifelong infection and transmission. The work may include comparisons between samples from people with KSHV-related cancers and those without symptoms to find patterns linked to disease persistence and spread.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people living with HIV who have KSHV-related conditions (Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, or multicentric Castleman's disease) or people at high risk for KSHV infection.
Not a fit: People without KSHV infection or whose illness is unrelated to KSHV are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted treatments or prevention strategies for KSHV-related cancers such as Kaposi's sarcoma in people with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has revealed some KSHV latency mechanisms but targeted therapies remain limited, so this research builds on known biology while addressing gaps needed for new treatments.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaye, Kenneth M — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kaye, Kenneth 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 below.