Immune cells linked to liver cancer in people with HIV
Official title: Tumor-associated pDC (TApDC) in liver cancer with HIV infection
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11241102 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing treatments that target a specific immune cell to help people with liver cancer who also have HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 5, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,061 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA298839-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11241102 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with HIV who have been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and who can attend visits at a study center would be the primary candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV, those with other types of liver disease, or patients who are not eligible for immunotherapy would be unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
This project looks at how tumor-associated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) shape the immune environment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for people living with HIV. Researchers will study immune samples and use humanized mouse models to see whether removing or changing pDCs improves anti-tumor T cell responses during antiretroviral therapy and checkpoint inhibitor treatment. The team will test approaches that could reduce inflammation-related tissue injury and restore exhausted CD8+ T cell function. Successful lab and preclinical findings would be used to design therapies that could move into clinical testing for people with HIV and HCC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new therapies that improve immune control of liver tumors and reduce harmful inflammation in people with HIV and HCC.
How similar studies have gone: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have helped some patients with liver cancer, but targeting plasmacytoid dendritic cells in HIV-positive HCC is a novel approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Lishan — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Su, Lishan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating immune cells in liver cancer among HIV-infected patients
This study is looking at how certain immune cells behave in liver cancer patients who also have HIV, with the goal of creating better treatments for liver cancer, especially for those in African American and immigrant communities. If you join this research, you could help find new ways to boost your immune system again
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Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
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AI-powered liver cancer screening using ultrasound blood flow patterns
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Cardiac health and protein markers in kids with perinatal HIV exposure or infection
A study from Duke aims to understand heart health and protein biomarkers in children who were exposed to or infected with HIV at birth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Aging and liver cancer: new ways to prevent and fight hepatocellular carcinoma
This research explores how aging promotes liver cancer and tests new preventive approaches that could help people at higher risk due to age.
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HBV cure clues in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific B and T cell responses relate to curing hepatitis B in people with and without HIV.
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.