Preventing anal cancer in men who have sex with men living with HIV
Official title: Integrated Model for the Prevention of Anal Cancer using screen and Treat for HSIL (IMPACT)
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10907554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help men who have sex with men and are living with HIV by offering a program to screen and treat early signs of anal cancer, making it easier for them to get the care they need in Nigeria and the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $727,189 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA275053-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men who have sex with men and are living with HIV, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as men who have sex with men or who are not living with HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on preventing anal cancer among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV by implementing a screening and treatment program for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The study will take place at the TRUST clinic in Nigeria, leveraging existing HIV care infrastructure to enhance access to anal cancer prevention interventions. By addressing knowledge gaps and barriers to treatment, the project aims to increase the uptake of HSIL screening and treatment in this high-risk population. Participants will be involved in a randomized controlled trial across multiple clinical sites in the United States and Nigeria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of anal cancer in a vulnerable population.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in implementing HSIL screening and treatment in similar populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nowak, Rebecca G. — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Nowak, Rebecca G.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV+ MSM through screening and treatment of HSIL
This project tests a streamlined plan to prevent anal cancer in people living with HIV by screening for HSIL and treating it at clinics serving MSM.
-
Preventing anal cancer in people living with HIV
A topical form of HIV protease inhibitors is being tried to clear precancerous anal changes in people living with HIV.
-
Screening strategies to find anal cancer precursors in high-risk people
Researchers will study markers from DNA methylation and immune signals to better identify people at risk for anal cancer before it develops.
-
Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM through HSIL screening and treatment
This project tests a proven HSIL screening-and-treatment approach to prevent anal cancer in men living with HIV, using Ghana/Nigeria-based sites to learn how to implement it broadly.
-
Better screening for anal cancer in people at higher risk
This project looks for biological and immune signals that could spot early precancerous changes in people at high risk for anal cancer.
-
Screen-and-treat program to prevent anal cancer in people with HIV
This project offers regular anal screening and treatment to men who have sex with men living with HIV to lower their risk of anal cancer.
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.