# Research Project 2 Molecular, viral and genetic epidemiology of virally induced AIDS-defining cancers affecting Argentina population with highest risk for HIV infection

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $94,903

## Abstract

RESEARCH PROJECT 2 SUMMARY
JULY 2017-JUNE 2023
Men having sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are the most affected populations by HIV,
present high prevalence of KSHV and HPV, and two malignant conditions associated to these virus (Kaposi
Sarcoma and Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, respectively)
are also disproportionally affecting these groups.
KS continues being the most important AIDS associated cancer in LMICs. On the other hand, ART changed the
course of HIV and increased life expectancy, but HPV persistence represents a continued risk factor for anal
cancer.
The aims of this project are 1) to increase the knowledge about prevalence, incidence, and clearance of KSHV
and HR-HPV among high risk individuals (MSM and TG individuals with and without HIV) and factors associated
to clinical progression 2) to create a repository of prospective and retrospective samples of KS and ASCC cou-
pled to clinical data and 3) to explore in KS and ASCC the molecular portrait and viral factors by Whole-Exome
sequencing in parallel with RNA-Seq profiling comparing the mutational and gene expression profiles of samples
for identify specific transcriptome.
We will accomplish these aims studying two populations: a) a cohort of individuals at high risk of developing KS
and ASCC 220 MSM and 110 transgender women, HIV positive and HIV negative) in whom we will assess every
6 months during 4 years the prevalence, incidence, and associated factors for KSHV infection and HPV infection.
c) a repository of clinical information and biological samples of individual with KS and ASCC. This registry will
involve two components, the prospective component that will collect clinical data and samples from patients in
study for KS or ASCC (15-30/year) and a retrospective component aimed to provide limited clinical information
and remnants of pathological specimens at 6 sites (400 KS and 200 ASCC). All the material will be available
also for Basic and Translational Projects 1 and 2.
With these aims our research contributes to several areas defined by NIH as high priority research on HIV/AIDS,
including the focus in malignances, basic research on genetic determinants of co-morbidities and research to
reduce health disparities in the treatment outcomes of people living with HIV. Further, this research will support
research capacity development in a low- and middle-income settings. Accordingly, we aim to address several
urgent health questions, which will inform the development of a range of policies and interventions throughout
South and North America. The long-term objective of this study is to catalyze international collaboration among
US and Argentinean investigators to improve capacity to reduce the cancer burden among HIV individuals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10004007
- **Project number:** 5U54CA221208-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Pedro Enrique Cahn
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $94,903
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-20 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10004007

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10004007, Research Project 2 Molecular, viral and genetic epidemiology of virally induced AIDS-defining cancers affecting Argentina population with highest risk for HIV infection (5U54CA221208-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10004007. Licensed CC0.

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