Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM through HSIL screening and treatment
Official title: Integrated Model for the Prevention of Anal Cancer using screen and Treat for HSIL (IMPACT)
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11401911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a proven HSIL screening-and-treatment approach to prevent anal cancer in men living with HIV, using Ghana/Nigeria-based sites to learn how to implement it broadly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $736,024 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA275053-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are men living with HIV who are at risk for HSIL/anal cancer and are receiving or can access HIV care in LMIC settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not access HSIL screening and treatment or who have contraindications to HSIL procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
If successful, this project will adapt and implement HSIL screening and treatment for anal cancer prevention within HIV care settings, starting with the TRUST clinic in Nigeria to reach MSM living with HIV. The study builds on an existing randomized trial demonstrating the benefit of HSIL treatment and focuses on real-world adoption, fidelity, and barriers to implementation in LMICs. Researchers will examine how to integrate screening and treatment into routine care, address training gaps, and measure uptake, adherence, and patient satisfaction. The work aims to generate practical strategies for scaling up preventive care to reduce anal cancer risk in high-need populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach is widely adopted, it could significantly lower anal cancer risk among HIV-positive MSM by making HSIL screening and treatment a standard part of HIV care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials show HSIL treatment reduces progression to anal cancer, supporting potential success in implementation studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nowak, Rebecca G. — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Nowak, Rebecca G.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV+ MSM through screening and treatment of HSIL
This project tests a streamlined plan to prevent anal cancer in people living with HIV by screening for HSIL and treating it at clinics serving MSM.
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Preventing anal cancer in people living with HIV
A topical form of HIV protease inhibitors is being tried to clear precancerous anal changes in people living with HIV.
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Screening strategies to find anal cancer precursors in high-risk people
Researchers will study markers from DNA methylation and immune signals to better identify people at risk for anal cancer before it develops.
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Better screening for anal cancer in people at higher risk
This project looks for biological and immune signals that could spot early precancerous changes in people at high risk for anal cancer.
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Screen-and-treat program to prevent anal cancer in people with HIV
This project offers regular anal screening and treatment to men who have sex with men living with HIV to lower their risk of anal cancer.
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Anal cancer screening for people with HIV using genomic methods
A patient-centered screening approach using a genomic test to detect anal precancers in people with HIV, aiming to catch disease earlier and reduce unnecessary procedures.
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.