# H2A Admin Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $212,247

## Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very common and lethal cancer in Africa, and as patients with HIV live
longer, the HCC burden may increase. In prior studies, our team identified chronic infection with hepatitis B
and C viruses (HBV, HCV), HIV and Schistosomiasis mansoni as independent risk factors for HCC. Compared
to the US, HCC in sub-Saharan Africa occurs at younger age and more advanced stage with survival of only
months. Proposed is an East and West African partnership between colleagues at Makerere University in
Uganda, Fann University in Senegal and Johns Hopkins University focused on HIV and hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC) in Africa: The H2A Consortium. Building on long-standing collaborative research, mentoring
and clinical activities in both countries, our overarching goal is to reduce the heavy burden of HCC in sub-
Saharan Africa. We advocate investigating cancer interception strategies using appropriate medical treatments
to interrupt or reverse the impact of these HCC-causing infections. The Administrative and Coordinating
Core (ACC) will provide overall leadership for implementing the scientific agenda of the H2A consortium. Using
best practices from decades of international research collaboration, the H2A Consortium proposes an effective
organizational structure and strong leadership with a track record of international research collaboration. The
organizational framework builds upon the ongoing close working relationship between prior co-PIs from
Uganda and Hopkins and welcomes the Senegalese team as equal partners. The ACC will establish
transparent structures to support rigorous study oversight, effective communication, and efficient problem-
solving. The H2A Consortium effectively integrates ACC activities within a closely interacting Steering
Committee (SC) comprised of the Overall Co-Leaders and the Project /Core PIs. For each Project or Core, the
leadership represents an equitable partnership with PIs from each site sharing responsibilities. This leadership
nucleus is further supported by an External Advisory Panel (EAP) and a Community Advisory Panel (CAP),
with collaborative links to NCI Program leadership and other U54 Consortia sites. The impact of our integrated
research and capacity development activities will be establishment of the H2A Consortium as partnered
Centers of Excellence on HIV and HCC in East and West Africa.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10259883
- **Project number:** 5U54CA254565-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gregory D Kirk
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $212,247
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-09 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10259883

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10259883, H2A Admin Core (5U54CA254565-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10259883. Licensed CC0.

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