Identifying key immune responses to develop a vaccine for Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

Defining Critical Sites of Vulnerability and Correlates of Protection to Kaposi Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus to Inform Vaccine Design

NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11003468

This study is looking at how the immune system reacts to a virus linked to certain cancers, especially in people with HIV, to help develop a vaccine that could protect against it.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003468 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to understand how the immune system responds to Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), which is linked to serious conditions like Kaposi sarcoma and lymphoma, particularly in individuals with HIV. By analyzing blood samples from people infected with KSHV, the researchers will identify specific immune responses that could be targeted by a vaccine. They will also study how neutralizing antibodies can protect against KSHV infection using animal models. The goal is to define the necessary immune responses for an effective vaccine.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV who are infected with KSHV, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa or men who have sex with men.

Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with KSHV or those without HIV may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a vaccine that prevents KSHV infection and reduces the incidence of related cancers in vulnerable populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines targeting other oncogenic viruses, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.