# Integrating social and molecular determinants of HPV-associated cancers

> **NIH NIH K01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $129,771

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer has been dramatically rising for the last few decades. The
development and implementation of HPV vaccination and screening provide the promise of prevention. Primary
prevention and advances in genomic prognostication has shifted the landscape of HPV-associated cancers.
Efficacious and equitable prevention and treatment efforts for vulnerable groups requires an understanding of
geographic, social and molecular determinants of HPV-associated cancers unique to these underserved and
understudied populations. The goal of this proposed research proposal is to study how social determinants of
health influences and interacts with molecular tumor markers to affect HPV-associated cancers.
Dr. Mazul’s career goal is to become an independent researcher who is uniquely positioned to develop, conduct,
and communicate research bridging cancer social determinant of health biology with social epidemiology. In the
proposed training plan, Dr. Mazul will build upon her cancer epidemiologic skills to develop additional expertise
in geospatial analysis and social epidemiologic methods, while expanding her cancer knowledge into HPV-
associated cancer biology. Her training will be directly applied to support and advance her career as an
independent researcher and the proposed research plan.
Geospatial and social epidemiologic methods will be employed to understanding the interaction between social
and molecular factors. We will use data from three sources representing national, Missouri statewide and local
St. Louis HPV-associated cancer cases to compare the three most common HPV-associated cancers
(oropharyngeal, cervical and anal). Three aims will address the overall hypothesis that poor neighborhood-level
factors interact with molecular markers and to lead to poor HPV-associated cancer outcomes. Aim 1. Identify
nationwide and statewide spatial clusters of HPV-associated cancers using geographic information systems and
geospatial modeling. Aim 2: Measure the effect of neighborhood-level social and demographic factors on HPV-
associated cancer stage at presentation and survival. Aim 3: Measure the prevalence and prognostic significance
of HPV genotype in a demographically and socioeconomically diverse HPV-associated cancer population.
Results from this study will provide a more nuanced assessment of the complex social and genomic factors
linked with HPV-associated cancer. With this training and experience, Dr. Mazul will be well positioned to launch
her independent research career.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9890355
- **Project number:** 1K01MD013897-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Angela Liu Mazul
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $129,771
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-06 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9890355

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9890355, Integrating social and molecular determinants of HPV-associated cancers (1K01MD013897-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9890355. Licensed CC0.

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