Earlier detection of HPV-related oropharynx cancer in people living with and without HIV

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R56 · $515,812 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Abstract Oral HPV is the cause of increasing incidence of HPV-related oropharynx cancer (HPV-OPC) in the United States and globally, and is expected to continue into the next century despite an effective vaccine. The risk of HPV-OPC and HPV-related anogenital malignancies is significantly increased among people living with HIV (PLWH). Oral and plasma HPV and E6 antibodies are associated with increased future risk of HPV-OPC and present an opportunity for screening for HPV-OPC. We have developed the longest running and largest cohort of healthy people living with and without HIV, with biomarkers of HPV-OPC. This study will combine our existing unique enriched cohort of individuals with HPV16 biomarkers with new participants identified in a screening scenario to develop a larger cohort of individuals at-risk for HPV16-OPC (called the MOUTH2 study). We will screen for oral and blood biomarkers with the aim to 1) study progression to HPV-OPC and how it differs in those with and without HIV; 2) characterize impact of HIV on oral HPV16 persistence, and 3) evaluate performance characteristics of stand-alone vs sequential biomarker screening. This prospective observational cohort will provide the ability to examine questions necessary to understand the long- term natural history of oral HPV in people living with and without HPV and to inform future study design to elucidate the benefits and harms of screening.

Key facts

NIH application ID
11058695
Project number
1R56DE033873-01
Recipient
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
Gypsyamber D'Souza
Activity code
R56
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$515,812
Award type
1
Project period
2024-09-15 → 2026-09-14