Investigating the causes of Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
Official title: Project 3
Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-10909003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $301,515 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA277846-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have been diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma or are at risk of developing it.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or Kaposi sarcoma may not receive any benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Lsu Health Sciences Center
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tso, for Yue — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Tso, for Yue
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.