# Project 1-Preventing cervical cancer in HIV-infected women

> **NIH NIH U54** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2022 · $129,989

## Abstract

Abstract
In contrast to other HIV-associated cancers, the incidence of cervical cancer has not declined in the era of
antiretroviral therapy (ART), and is the most common cancer among Kenyan and Ugandan women. These
countries each have high HIV prevalence, which greatly accelerates the progression of cervical cancer, even in
women receiving ART and achieving “reconstituted” immune systems. Better methods of screening are
needed, and we need to understand cofactors related to HPV infection, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
The long-term objective of our project is to help eradicate cervical cancer in HIV-infected Kenyan and Ugandan
women. We will test our approach in a study of HIV-infected women. First, we will evaluate HR-HPV DNA
testing of self-collected vaginal swabs combined with VIA in detecting biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial
neoplasia grades 2, 3, or worse (CIN 2/3+) in HIV-infected women living in Kenya or Uganda. We
hypothesized that detection of biopsy-proven CIN 2/3+ is higher among HIV-infected women with both HR-
HPV DNA positivity and VIA abnormality compared to those with only one or neither of these tests positive.
Second, we will determine if aflatoxin, a carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compound found in
contaminated corn, is a risk factor for oncogenic HPV detection and cervical cancer among HIV-infected
Kenyan and Ugandan women. We hypothesize that regardless of HIV-status, aflatoxin is a risk factor for HR-
HPV detection, HR-HPV persistence, and biopsy-proven CIN 2/3+, that the impact of aflatoxin on HR-HPV
detection, HR-HPV persistence, and biopsy-proven CIN 2/3+ will be significantly greater in HIV-infected
women than in HIV-uninfected women, and that the immunosuppressive effects of aflatoxin impair the host’s
ability to control HIV in spite of ART use. Accomplishment of our aims will help improve care for all women in
Kenya and Uganda, and help in the battle against cervical cancer in HIV-infected women.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10477367
- **Project number:** 5U54CA254518-03
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** DARRON R BROWN
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $129,989
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-07 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10477367

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10477367, Project 1-Preventing cervical cancer in HIV-infected women (5U54CA254518-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10477367. Licensed CC0.

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