Understanding how host cell epigenetic marks keep KSHV in check to fight AIDS-related cancers
Official title: Role of H3K9me3 Depositing Host Epigenetic Restriction Factors in KSHV Latency
Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-11563700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at unraveling how a specific human cell tag (H3K9me3) helps keep Kaposi's Sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) quiet, with potential implications for people living with AIDS-related cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $136,819 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121288-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11563700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV/AIDS who are at risk for or have AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma or related KSHV-associated diseases.
✕Less likely to help
No direct benefit for participants unless they contribute samples or participate in future related studies.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the virus KSHV becomes latent in human cells and what host epigenetic factors control that quiet state. Researchers will study how the H3K9me3 mark deposited by human cells helps silence the virus’s genes and supports latency. The work combines molecular biology with cell-based experiments to map how this epigenetic mechanism maintains latency and what disrupts it. By understanding these processes, scientists hope to identify new targets for therapies or vaccines against KSHV-related diseases in people with AIDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to control KSHV latency and reduce the burden of AIDS-related KS, PEL, and MCD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests host epigenetic marks influence KSHV latency, supporting potential translational payoff with this line of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Health Sciences Center
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roy, Arunava — Lsu Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Roy, Arunava
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Development of a Cancer Research Core to Support HIV-related Malignancies in Africa
A program to build cancer research capacity in Africa to better prevent, diagnose, and treat HIV-related cancers like Kaposi sarcoma.
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Data management and bio-specimen hub for KS research in Africa
A program hub in Africa and the U.S. will securely manage data and biospecimens to support research on AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma and other HIV-associated cancers.
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Finding hidden KS reservoirs to help people with AIDS-related cancer
A study aims to map where the Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus hides in the bodies of people living with HIV/AIDS to improve future treatments.
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HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma: improving care with ART and targeted treatment in EpKS
A patient-facing program exploring how standard HIV treatment plus cancer care can help people with epidemic Kaposi sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa.
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HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma research in Africa and the US
A collaborative, international effort aims to better understand and improve care for Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV in Africa and the U.S.
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Developmental Core for AIDS-related Malignancies in Africa
This grant supports training and capacity building to improve prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment of AIDS-related cancers like Kaposi sarcoma in Africa, with opportunities for U.S. and African researchers to collaborate.
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.