Oral HPV and throat cancer risk in Latin Americans living with HIV
Oral HPV Research Among Latin Americans Living with HIV (ORAL - H² Study)
This project looks for oral HPV and other simple markers that could show which Latin Americans living with HIV are more likely to develop throat (oropharyngeal) cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190975 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide oral samples and health information and may give blood or other routine specimens so researchers can look for HPV types, DNA methylation changes, and other signs linked to cancer risk. The team will combine those lab markers with information about age, alcohol use, sexual behavior, and other factors to find who is most likely to have persistent oral HPV. Participants will be followed over time with active follow-up so researchers can see which infections persist and which markers predict risk. The goal is to build simple, measurable ways to spot people who need closer monitoring or prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV, especially Latin American men and others from the Americas who can attend participating clinics and provide oral samples and health information, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those not part of the recruited Latin American communities, or those already treated for oropharyngeal cancer are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify people with HIV who need targeted monitoring or preventive care to lower their chance of developing throat cancer.
How similar studies have performed: HPV vaccines have reduced HPV-related disease in other settings, but reliable early detection markers for oropharyngeal pre-cancer are still largely unproven, so this approach is building on vaccine work while exploring new biomarkers.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giuliano, Anna R. — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Giuliano, Anna R.
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.