Understanding virus-linked cancers in people with HIV
Partnership to Assess Viral and Immune Landscape Intersections with ONcology for People Living with HIV (PAVILION)
This program brings together cancer and virus experts to learn how HPV and EBV cause cancers in people living with HIV, with a focus on patients in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11407889 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a partnership linking U.S. and African sites that collects tumor samples and clinical data from people living with HIV who have or are at risk for HPV- and EBV-related cancers. Laboratory teams will analyze the viruses in tumors and study immune responses using tissue, blood, and molecular profiling. The work focuses on cancers across several sites — anal, cervical, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar, and conjunctival — including cancers that are understudied outside the cervix. Results aim to connect viral infections, immune status, and cancer outcomes to guide better prevention and treatment options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with HIV who have or are at increased risk for HPV- or EBV-associated cancers (anal, cervical, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar, or conjunctival), particularly those receiving care at participating sites in sub‑Saharan Africa or affiliated U.S. centers.
Not a fit: People without HIV or with cancers unrelated to HPV or EBV, and those unable or unwilling to provide samples or travel to participating clinics, are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve prevention, earlier detection, and more effective care for virus-linked cancers in people living with HIV, especially in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked HPV and EBV to certain cancers in people with HIV, but the broad focus on extra-cervical HPV cancers and suspected viral causes of conjunctival tumors in sub‑Saharan Africa is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giuliano, Anna R. — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Giuliano, Anna R.
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.