How mouth and other microbes affect Kaposi’s sarcoma in people with HIV
Impact of microbiota on AIDS-Kaposi’s sarcoma development and therapy
The team will see whether specific bacteria and microbiome changes change inflammation and influence Kaposi’s sarcoma in people living with HIV, with attention to affected African populations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146551 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers would collect samples such as oral swabs and blood to compare the microbes found in people with and without AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma. They will analyze microbial diversity and specific bacteria linked to inflammation and viral activity. The team will use lab and animal models to test how bacterial products change KSHV-related tumor growth and response to therapy. The goal is to find microbial markers and bacterial-driven mechanisms that could point to new treatments or ways to predict outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV—particularly those with current or prior Kaposi’s sarcoma or who are at high risk for KS (including underserved African populations)—would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV, people whose cancers are unrelated to KSHV, or those unable or unwilling to provide oral or blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new tests that predict KS risk or new treatments that target bacteria-driven inflammation to improve outcomes for people with HIV and KS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies and emerging clinical microbiome research support the idea that bacteria can influence cancer and inflammation, but applying these findings directly to AIDS-KS in patients is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Shou-Jiang — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gao, Shou-Jiang
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.