Investigating the causes of Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

Project 3

NIH-funded research Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-10909003

This study is looking into Kaposi sarcoma, a type of cancer that often affects people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, to find out where the virus that causes it hides in the body, which could help improve treatments for those living with this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Orleans, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909003 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a common cancer among individuals with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The team aims to identify hidden reservoirs of the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in the body, which may contribute to the disease's recurrence despite treatment. By conducting full-body autopsies on postmortem donors, researchers will systematically sample various tissues to locate these reservoirs. This approach could provide insights into the biology of KS and improve treatment strategies for affected individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have been diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma or are at risk of developing it.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV or Kaposi sarcoma may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of Kaposi sarcoma, potentially reducing its recurrence and improving outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While research on KSHV and its role in Kaposi sarcoma is ongoing, this specific approach of using full-body autopsies to locate viral reservoirs is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New Orleans, 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 AIDS associated cancerAIDS related cancerAcquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.