How Kaposi's sarcoma virus stays hidden in cells
KSHV Latency Regulation
Researchers are looking at how the Kaposi's sarcoma virus stays dormant in cells to help people with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma and related cancers.
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-11224063 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at the virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma and related cancers and aims to understand how it stays hidden inside tumor cells. Scientists will focus on a viral protein called LANA that helps the virus copy and keep its DNA in dividing cells and controls viral and host gene activity. The team will study how cellular enzymes that add H3K4me3 epigenetic marks interact with LANA using lab-grown tumor cells and patient-derived samples. Findings may point to specific steps that can be targeted to clear latent virus or stop tumor cell survival.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, or multicentric Castleman's disease—especially those living with HIV/AIDS—could be candidates to provide samples or take part in related studies.
Not a fit: People without KSHV-related diseases or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal drug targets that help clear latent KSHV or stop KSHV-driven tumors from growing.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown that LANA is essential for KSHV genome persistence and have linked epigenetic marks to viral activity, but translating these findings into patient therapies remains early.
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.