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

> **NIH NIH R56** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $515,812

## 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 organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gypsyamber D'Souza
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $515,812
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-15 → 2026-09-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11058695

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11058695, Earlier detection of HPV-related oropharynx cancer in people living with and without HIV (1R56DE033873-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11058695. Licensed CC0.

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