Making HPV16-targeted vaccines that work for people everywhere with cervical cancer
Strategies to Reduce Global Health Disparities in Cervical Cancer
New vaccines are being developed to treat cervical cancers caused by different HPV16 strains so they work better for people worldwide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248839 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, researchers are designing vaccines that train the immune system to recognize HPV16 proteins found only in cancer cells. They use new spontaneous cervicovaginal cancer models to study how viral variants affect immune responses and vaccine effectiveness. Because many past vaccines were based on a European HPV16 strain, the team is focusing on variants common in African, Asian, and other populations that may evade immunity. The goal is to create immunotherapies that work across diverse HPV16 types and help reduce global disparities in cervical cancer outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with HPV16-positive cervical precancer or cancer, particularly those whose tumors carry non‑European HPV16 variants and who might enroll in future vaccine trials.
Not a fit: People whose cervical disease is not caused by HPV16 (for example infections with other HPV types) or who are not eligible for therapeutic vaccine trials would be unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these variant-tailored therapeutic vaccines could improve treatment responses and reduce cervical cancer progression and deaths, especially in populations underserved by current vaccines.
How similar studies have performed: Previous therapeutic vaccines targeting HPV E6/E7 have shown immune responses and some clinical promise but were mainly based on the European HPV16 strain and often worked less well against other variants, so this variant-focused approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Tzyy-Choou — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Tzyy-Choou
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 below.