Viral and immune drivers of HPV-related cancers in people living with HIV
Project 1: Exploring viral and immunological factors of HPV associated cancers in PLWH and its relation to survival
This project will look at how virus and immune system differences affect HPV-related cancers in people living with HIV to help guide better prevention and treatment.
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-11178710 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are living with HIV and have an HPV-related cancer (like anal, cervical, vulvar, penile, or oropharyngeal cancer), this project will examine tumor and immune features that may drive worse outcomes. Researchers will analyze tumor tissue and immune markers, including viral characteristics and immune checkpoint proteins, to map the tumor viral and immune landscape. The work includes samples and clinical data from sites including low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa where HPV cancers are increasing. Findings will be used to inform improved screening, prevention, and treatment approaches, and to explore whether immunotherapy could better help people living with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people living with HIV who have an HPV-related cancer (anal, cervical, vulvar, penile, or oropharyngeal) and who can provide tumor samples or clinical follow-up information.
Not a fit: People without HIV, or those with cancers not caused by HPV, are unlikely to directly benefit from this project's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better screening and more effective, tailored treatments (including immunotherapy) for people with HIV who develop HPV-related cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Immunotherapy and tumor-immune profiling have shown promise in HPV-related cancers in people without HIV, but studies specifically focused on people living with HIV are limited and this approach remains understudied.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Botha, Matthys Hendrik — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Botha, Matthys Hendrik
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.