Viral exosomes and Kaposi sarcoma growth
Modulation of tumorigenesis by viral exosomes
This work aims to find how tiny virus-made particles called exosomes change the tissue around Kaposi sarcoma tumors and affect nearby EBV-infected cells, especially in people from sub-Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126000 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect blood and tissue samples from people with KSHV/KS and use advanced imaging to detect single virus-derived exosomes in the circulation. They will test how these exosomes change blood vessel and lymph node cells and how KSHV exosomes influence EBV-infected cells. The team will also try to repurpose natural exosomes to deliver targeted treatments to Kaposi sarcoma. Much of the work focuses on populations in sub-Saharan Africa where both viruses are common.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Kaposi sarcoma or who carry KSHV (often with EBV), particularly those in or connected to affected regions like sub-Saharan Africa, who can provide blood or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People without KSHV infection or Kaposi sarcoma are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to block or repurpose virus-derived exosomes to better treat or target Kaposi sarcoma.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows viruses release exosomes carrying viral microRNAs that alter nearby cells, but using natural exosomes as a targeted therapy remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dittmer, Dirk P — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dittmer, Dirk P
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.