Patient tumor sample resource for virus-linked AIDS cancers
"Core D" Clinical Sample and Tumorigenesis Core
This project uses patient tumor samples and mouse models to learn how viral and human noncoding RNAs drive HIV-associated cancers so future treatments can be guided for people with HIV-related tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285410 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect and store tumor and clinical samples from people with HIV-associated, gammaherpesvirus-linked cancers and prepare the tissues for detailed analysis. Pathologists will score the samples and scientists will use RNAscope in situ hybridization and GeoMx digital spatial profiling to map where viral and human noncoding RNAs are active within tumors. The core also runs in vivo experiments using humanized mice, xenografts, and murine virus-driven tumor models to see how these RNAs influence cancer growth. By linking observations in patient tissues to controlled animal models, the team aims to identify the noncoding RNAs most relevant to disease and support projects developing potential therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with HIV who have a gammaherpesvirus-associated tumor (for example EBV- or KSHV-positive lymphomas or other AIDS-related malignancies) and who can donate tumor tissue or clinical samples.
Not a fit: People without HIV, or whose tumors are not linked to gammaherpesviruses, and those unable to provide tissue samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new biomarkers or therapeutic targets that lead to better diagnosis or treatments for HIV-associated, virus-linked cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have identified viral noncoding RNAs in these cancers and early translational work exists, but combining spatial profiling of patient tumors with humanized mouse tumor models in a coordinated core is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tibbetts, Scott a. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Tibbetts, Scott a.
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.