# H2A Clinical Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $120,305

## 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 Consortium represents a complex
partnership between investigators, staff, hospitals, and universities in 4 countries representing East and West
Africa, Switzerland and USA, with 6 clinical sites, 4 primary laboratories, and ~20 coinvestigators speaking
English and French. The Clinical and Data Quality Core (CDQ) is designed to support the standardized
rigorous data collection, management and analysis of Consortium data. CDQ will ensure that high quality data
is rigorously collected, that assessment of clinical measurements and laboratory testing be standardized
between sites, that data harmonization be effectively performed, and that high quality analytical datasets be
produced in a timely manner. CDQ Core provides support for both Projects and to pilot projects through the
Developmental Core. Support to both the scientific and capacity development objectives ensures that
comprehensive, systematic and rigorous data collection, management and analysis in Consortium projects will
appropriately maximize resources and have a high likelihood of scientific impact.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10903768
- **Project number:** 5U54CA254565-05
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jim K Aizire
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $120,305
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-09 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10903768

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10903768, H2A Clinical Core (5U54CA254565-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10903768. Licensed CC0.

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