# Role of anal microbiota, local cytokines and HIV in persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus

> **NIH NIH K07** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2021 · $135,432

## Abstract

While uncommon in the general population, there is a marked (60-130 fold) increased risk of
anal cancer in HIV-infected individuals, especially men who have sex with men (MSM). Anal
cancer is caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) that persists in the anal
epithelium. It is currently not known whether HIV infection alters the anal micro environment,
specifically the microbiota and cytokines, to increase persistence and eventually promote frank
malignancy. The goals of the K07 are to undertake formal training and mentoring in microbiota,
mucosal immunity, and molecular biology of carcinogenesis and to learn how to rigorously
integrate these components analytically to identify cancer prevention markers. Therefore, our
aims are to: 1) characterize the composition of the anal microbiota using hierarchical clustering
and assess cluster membership with a persistently detected HR-HPV a year later for HIV-
negative and HIV-positive men; 2) determine local cytokine profiles from anal swabs and assess
their independent and mediating associations with persistent and non-persistent HR-HPV for
those with and without HIV; and 3) describe the stability of cluster membership over time and
whether that distinguishes persistence among HIV-negative and HIV-positive men. To achieve
these aims, we propose to evaluate prospectively these mucosal interactions using archived
anal swab samples from HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected MSM in an ongoing well
characterized cohort, the TRUST/RV368 study in Nigeria (R01AI20913-01). Dr. Rebecca
Nowak is an exceptional candidate whose research focuses on the mechanisms of HPV
transformation during HIV infection. Much of her research has originated in Uganda, Zimbabwe,
and Nigeria which has resulted in her focus on global cancer research, one of the priorities for
the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Nowak has strong institutional support from the Institute of
Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She will have guaranteed
protected research time and access to a wealth of resources that will ensure a successful
transition to an independently funded investigator. Her robust training plan includes: 1) high
quality mentorship from her primary mentor, Dr. Kevin Cullen, as well as co-mentors in the field
of microbiome (Dr. Jacque Ravel), biostatistics (Dr. Soren Bentzen), mucosal immunology (Dr.
Raina Fichorova); 2) coursework in fundamental immunology with a focus on the mucosa; 3)
training in bioinformatics; and 4) experience in multidisciplinary team science. With the training
and experience, Dr. Nowak will be prepared to seek R01 funding to establish a multidisciplinary
research program in carcinogenic viruses during HIV infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10217043
- **Project number:** 5K07CA225403-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Rebecca G. Nowak
- **Activity code:** K07 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $135,432
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10217043

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10217043, Role of anal microbiota, local cytokines and HIV in persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (5K07CA225403-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10217043. Licensed CC0.

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