Tracking high‑risk oral HPV and risk for oropharyngeal (throat) cancer
Characterize longitudinal events of oral high-risk human papillomavirus to alter risk for oropharyngeal cancer (CLEAR)
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · NIH-11173631
This project follows people at higher risk—especially those living with HIV—to learn how high‑risk oral HPV starts, persists, or clears and how that relates to throat cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11173631 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be screened for oral high‑risk HPV and, if selected, some participants will be followed every six months for up to 18 months. At each visit researchers will collect an oral gargle and blood sample to test for high‑risk HPV, CD4 count, HIV viral load, and study the oral microbiome. The team will look for patterns and predictors of HPV persistence or clearance that might come before precancerous changes. Those findings would help guide earlier detection or prevention steps for oropharyngeal cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are HPV‑unvaccinated adults at increased risk for oropharyngeal cancer, especially people living with HIV or those with detectable oral high‑risk HPV.
Not a fit: People who have already completed HPV vaccination or who are not at elevated risk for oral HPV or throat cancer may not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect people at higher risk for HPV‑related throat cancer earlier so preventive care or closer monitoring can start sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies link HPV to oropharyngeal cancer and show persistent HPV can precede lesions at other body sites, but long‑term, detailed tracking of oral high‑risk HPV in people with HIV is still limited, so this approach is partly novel.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NOWAK, REBECCA G. — UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- Study coordinator: NOWAK, REBECCA G.
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 Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus