# Human Papillomavirus and Polyomavirus Associated Malignancies.

> **NIH NIH R35** · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · 2021 · $487,115

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
My laboratory has been a leader in taking a broad based approach to studying the role that human
papillomaviruses (HPVs) and human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) play in cancer. A major focus has been
mechanistic studies to elucidate the contributions of the viral oncoproteins to malignancy. We have identified
novel activities of the HPV E6 and E7 proteins including the induction of telomerase activity and inactivation of
the p21 CDK inhibitor. For Merkel Cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) we have shown that it defines a new clade of
PyVs that contains both primate and rodent PyVs encoding Middle T like proteins. We will explore new data
showing that the Small T antigen can transform primary human fibroblasts and cooperate with Ras. We will
develop novel mouse models to determine other genetic alterations that cooperate with the viral oncogenes to
promote tumorigenicity. These models will be used in innovative ways to test new therapies. Additionally we
have led, and participated in, collaborative studies with epidemiologists, statisticians and clinicians to
understand the natural history of HPV infections and the host immune response to infection or vaccination.
Our current studies focus on understanding the long term memory response to HPV infection to develop better
insights into the mechanism of protection of the highly efficacious HPV vaccines, as well as to answer
translational questions about optimal vaccine usage. Our overall goal has been, and will continue to be, to find
new ways to better prevent, diagnose and treat HPV and HPyV infections that can lead to cancer. We are
addressing significant issues, have a proven track record, a wealth of experience and reagents, terrific
collaborators and an outstanding environment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10601410
- **Project number:** 6R35CA209979-06
- **Recipient organization:** FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** DENISE A. GALLOWAY
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $487,115
- **Award type:** 6
- **Project period:** 2017-09-15 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10601410

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10601410, Human Papillomavirus and Polyomavirus Associated Malignancies. (6R35CA209979-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10601410. Licensed CC0.

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