# Building independent research leaders in HIV-associated malignancies in Uganda

> **NIH NIH D43** · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER · 2021 · $299,988

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The incidence of cancer among persons with HIV infection has increased annually since the widespread
availability of antiretroviral therapy. Cancer is now a leading cause of death among HIV-positive persons, as
survival after a diagnosis of an HIV-associated malignancy (HIVAM) is poorer compared with HIV-negative
cancers across the world. In regions with a high prevalence of both HIV and viral oncogens, AIDS-defining
malignancies such as Kaposi Sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cervical cancer present some of the
largest threats to the health of HIV-infected individuals; non-AIDS defining cancers such at hepatocellular
carcinoma, lung cancer and anal cancer now comprise >50% of HIVAM. New strategies are needed for cancer
prevention and treatment among persons living with HIV in resource-limited settings.
 Since 2004, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) has collaborated with the Uganda
Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala, Uganda, to conduct research in HIVAM and develop new strategies for cancer
treatment and prevention. Through several well-established training grants and strong relationships with our
academic partners, the University of Washington (UW) and Makerere University (MU), we have trained >300
individuals in HIVAM research and care at all levels. Key informant interviews with academic, governmental and
clinical leaders in Uganda find that gaps in the capacity to conduct HIVAM research persist, particularly related
to junior investigators' abilities to conduct independent research. We propose to support the development of
research leaders in HIVAM in Uganda through three Specific Aims: 1) Expand the cadre of trained research
leaders in the field of HIVAM by conferring doctoral degrees with an emphasis on clinical trials research through
our established program with the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS); 2) Provide targeted
training to facilitate the maturation of previous advanced degree trainees to independence as investigators in
HIVAM in Uganda; 3) Strengthen the research skills and expand the community of Uganda investigators in
HIVAM through an established Peer Mentoring Career Development program. The proposed training activities
build on experiences with our current training programs and will be overseen by an experienced and outstanding
committee representing leaders in HIV and oncology research from the US and Uganda.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10144512
- **Project number:** 5D43TW009759-08
- **Recipient organization:** FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jackson Orem
- **Activity code:** D43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $299,988
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-06-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10144512

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10144512, Building independent research leaders in HIV-associated malignancies in Uganda (5D43TW009759-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10144512. Licensed CC0.

---

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