Using HPV insertion patterns to find new treatment targets for cervical cancer
Enlisting HPV integration events to illuminate drivers and target treatment in invasive cervical cancer
This project uses how HPV inserts into tumor DNA to find genes that could lead to better treatments for women with invasive cervical cancer, including those living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123208 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how HPV integrates into tumor DNA in cervical cancers and uses that information to pinpoint genes and pathways that may drive the disease. Researchers will analyze large tumor datasets (like TCGA) and a new multi-omics cohort that includes HIV-positive tumors to find recurrent HPV integration events and affected genes. Laboratory tests, including CRISPR-based methods, will be used to see which candidate genes actually help tumors grow and could be targeted by drugs. The aim is to nominate biologically validated targets that could guide future treatment trials and improve outcomes for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with invasive or recurrent cervical cancer, including those living with HIV, are the most relevant group for this research.
Not a fit: People without cervical cancer or whose tumors lack HPV integration events are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new drug targets or biomarkers that lead to more effective, targeted treatments and improved survival for women with invasive cervical cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior genomic studies have shown HPV integration can alter nearby genes, but the combined multi-omics and functional CRISPR testing in this proposal is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rader, Janet S. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Rader, Janet S.
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.