Rapid, at-a-glance KS diagnosis in Africa using KS-COMPLETE
Official title: Rapid Sample-to-Answer Diagnosis of Kaposi's Sarcoma Across Sub-Saharan Africa using KS-COMPLETE
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11391217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, simple, point‑of‑care test will quickly diagnose Kaposi’s sarcoma from skin biopsies in sub-Saharan Africa to help people get faster treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $388,058 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA269199-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with suspected Kaposi’s sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa who are undergoing skin biopsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without KS or those not undergoing biopsy may not benefit from this diagnostic tool.
What this research studies
This project will create and validate a fast, direct-to-LAMP diagnostic system called KS-COMPLETE for skin punch biopsies, deployed across multiple sites in Africa. It aims to cut the time from biopsy to result to about one hour by avoiding complex DNA extraction steps with the new SLICER technology. The effort builds on prior African studies showing KSHV DNA levels can accurately indicate KS, and it will bring a field-friendly workflow to clinicians. If successful, clinics could diagnose KS at the point of care, enabling earlier management for patients. The work includes manufacturing, clinical validation, and integration of the device into real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could receive quicker KS diagnosis and start treatment sooner, potentially improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies show that KSHV DNA levels in skin biopsies can diagnose KS with high accuracy; this project advances a direct-to-LAMP, faster approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erickson, David Carl — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Erickson, David Carl
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Testing new therapies for pediatric and young adult sarcoma, kidney, and liver cancers
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Precision 3D Imaging to Monitor Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) with SkinScan3D
A new portable 3D imaging tool called SkinScan3D will help doctors measure KS skin lesions more accurately and quickly, especially in people living with HIV.
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Precision 3D Imaging to Track Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) with SkinScan3D
A new 3D imaging tool called SkinScan3D helps doctors monitor Kaposi sarcoma lesions more accurately and quickly, especially in settings with high KS burden like East Africa and in U.S. clinics with HIV patients.
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Rapid, bedside KS diagnosis in Africa with KS-COMPLETE
A fast, point-of-care test using skin biopsies to diagnose Kaposi’s sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa, helping patients get results in about an hour.
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Kaposi Sarcoma care and research in Africa during ART era
A collaborative program to better understand and improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Kaposi sarcoma for people living with HIV in Zambia and Tanzania.
-
Kaposi Sarcoma in Africa: ART Era Research Network
A collaborative program in Africa and the United States will study Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV on ART to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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.