# H2A Developmental Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $73,386

## 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. We will accomplish this objective by
developing local capacity and performing important research. The H2A Scholar Award provides synergistic
funding to early-stage African investigators for both individual career development activities and a mentored
pilot project utilizing the substantive Consortium resources. Designation of Scholars will alternate yearly
between Uganda and Senegal and opportunities to link across countries and with Hopkins will actively be
pursued. Our approach of providing early-stage African investigators with substantive pilot project resources
and pairing them with a Hopkins mentor will maximize the return on investment. The ultimate goal is to develop
a cadre of talented, qualified African investigators to serve as leaders in the field of HIV and HCC research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10259885
- **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:** $73,386
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-09 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10259885

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10259885, H2A Developmental Core (5U54CA254565-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10259885. Licensed CC0.

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