Understanding how Epstein-Barr Virus causes certain cancers
Official title: Epigenomic Drivers of EBV Epithelial Cancers
Funded at Wistar Institute · NIH-11085159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) might help certain cancers grow and change, with the goal of finding new ways to treat patients who have cancers linked to this virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 11, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $455,120 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA269043-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085159 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with EBV-associated epithelial cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers not associated with Epstein-Barr Virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in the development of epithelial cancers by examining how the virus establishes a latent infection that influences cancer growth. The team will explore the mechanisms behind EBV's ability to maintain its presence in cancer cells and how this affects the cancer's genetic makeup, particularly focusing on DNA methylation patterns. By collaborating with other projects, they aim to uncover new therapeutic strategies that could target these latent infections and improve treatment options for patients with EBV-associated cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that specifically target EBV infections in cancer patients, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting viral infections in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lieberman, Paul M. — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Lieberman, Paul M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Immunomodulation to Fight Cancer Spread
A cancer-focused training opportunity to learn how tumors and the immune system interact during cancer spread and use that knowledge to develop new immunotherapies.
-
Broadly neutralizing nanobodies to improve HIV therapy
Researchers are developing tiny antibodies called nanobodies to target HIV in new ways that could make treatments easier and more effective for people living with HIV.
-
BEAT-HIV: a collaborative effort to cure HIV with immunotherapy
A multi-institution study is testing a combination immunotherapy approach to achieve long-term HIV remission or cure for people on ART.
-
Epitope-engineered stem cells to enable HIV cure with targeted CAR-T therapy
A patient-focused plan to use a person’s own stem cells, edited to resist HIV and paired with specialized CAR-T cells, to clear HIV reservoirs.
-
Comprehensive bioinformatics support for cancer research at a leading cancer center
A cancer center-wide bioinformatics program helps researchers analyze data, build reusable data resources, and apply computational methods to cancer studies.
-
Refocusing HIV antibodies to target parts that block many strains
This project tries a new vaccine approach to steer the immune system to make antibodies that can block many types of HIV for people at risk.
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.