Targeting EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in people living with HIV
Synthetic lethal targeting of EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphomas in persons living with HIV
This work explores whether drugs that block a backup DNA-repair pathway can kill Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169878 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how EBV changes DNA repair in lymphoma cells and creates a weakness that drugs might exploit. Researchers study EBV-positive cancer cells and EBV-transformed human B cells in the lab to show how STAT3 activation reduces homologous recombination and shifts cells to error-prone MMEJ repair. They will test synthetic-lethal agents, including PARP inhibitors or similar drugs, that target the backup repair pathways EBV-positive cells depend on. Strong preclinical results could support moving these approaches toward patient treatments for HIV-associated EBV+ DLBCL.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who have been diagnosed with EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, particularly those with relapsed or treatment-resistant disease, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose lymphoma is EBV-negative or who have different types of cancer are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to targeted drug therapies that specifically kill EBV-positive DLBCL cells in people living with HIV and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: PARP inhibitors and other synthetic-lethal strategies have worked in BRCA-mutant cancers and early laboratory studies suggest promise for EBV-positive lymphomas, but clinical proof in this exact setting is limited.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhaduri-Mcintosh, Sumita — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Bhaduri-Mcintosh, Sumita
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.