Pinpointing weak spots in the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus to help create a vaccine
Defining Critical Sites of Vulnerability and Correlates of Protection to Kaposi Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus to Inform Vaccine Design
['FUNDING_U01'] · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · NIH-11164636
Researchers will map where protective antibodies attach to the Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus and test whether those antibodies can block infection, aiming to help people at risk for Kaposi sarcoma, especially people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11164636 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses stored blood and immune-cell samples from people with and without Kaposi sarcoma to see which antibodies stop the virus. Scientists will make viral surface proteins in the lab and remove specific antibodies from blood samples to find the ones that matter. They will isolate individual neutralizing antibodies and study their structures to find exact vulnerable sites on the virus. Promising antibodies will be tested in a small animal model to see if they can prevent infection and guide vaccine design.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for contributing samples or being future trial participants would include people living with HIV, people known to carry KSHV, and groups with higher KSHV exposure such as men who have sex with men or residents of high-prevalence regions.
Not a fit: People without KSHV exposure risk or those seeking immediate treatment for existing Kaposi sarcoma are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this preclinical and laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide development of a vaccine that prevents KSHV infection and reduces Kaposi sarcoma and related cancers, especially for people with HIV and in high-prevalence regions.
How similar studies have performed: Antibody-mapping and monoclonal antibody approaches have helped vaccine design for other viruses, but clear protective targets for KSHV are still largely unproven and this work is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MCGUIRE, ANDREW — FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER
- Study coordinator: MCGUIRE, ANDREW
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus