# PQ6: Transgenic Mouse Model for Kaposi Sarcoma

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $521,632

## Abstract

Project Summary Abstract
After 25 years there is still is no adequate animal model for Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), which is the most common
cancer in people living with HIV/AIDS world-wide. Notably, KS develops even in HIV-infected person with
normal CD4 counts and no detectable HIV viral load, as well as in HIV-negative persons – so called classic
KS. The KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is necessary for KS. Rather than focusing on one specific viral
gene, we inserted the entire 138,146 bp KSHV viral genome into transgenic mice. These develop
angiosarcoma and the KSHV genes are expressed in the tumor. This proposal seeks to understand the
mechanism of KS tumorigenesis and to study known and novel drug candidates. This proposal responds to
NCI provocative question six: “Can novel in vitro and in vivo models of HIV/AIDS-associated malignancies be
developed to study their development, pathogenesis, and the potential evaluation of
novel treatments for common HIV/AIDS-associated malignancies?”

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10115683
- **Project number:** 5R01CA250080-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Dirk P Dittmer
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $521,632
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-03-01 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10115683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10115683, PQ6: Transgenic Mouse Model for Kaposi Sarcoma (5R01CA250080-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10115683. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*