Title:
Research on Malignancies in AIDS and Acquired (reissue)
Contact:
Kishor Bhatia. Ph.D., MRCPath.Objective of Project:
The purpose of this initiative is to stimulate research that will improve our understanding of the biological basis of development and progression of cancer in the context of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or acquired immune suppression not associated with HIV infection such as organ transplantation. The NCI and NIDCR seek to encourage novel approaches to discovery and preclinical development of novel therapeutic agents and biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Molecular epidemiologic studies of the role of chronic latent viruses and their interaction with one another or with environmental factors in the context of acquired immune suppression or HIV infection leading to the development of tumors or lesions with oncogenic potential are also of interest. The goal of this PA is to continue to encourage applications ranging in scope from basic science through molecular epidemiology to preclinical studies and including but not limited to: 1) establishing animal and cell culture models to study disease pathogenesis of the prevalent viral agents found in AIDS associated cancers (i.e. Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8, Epstein-Barr Virus, human papillomavirus); 2) isolating and charactering new viral and microbiological agents that act as co-factors in tumor promotion or progression; 3) developing and utilizing predictive models for the preclinical evaluation of new therapies against AIDS-related malignancies; 4) developing preclinical applications to translate basic knowledge concerning AIDS related malignancies towards the development of new treatments for these diseases; 5) continuing to define the molecular epidemiology of HIV-associated cancers and their pre-neoplastic conditions and; 6) developing and utilizing markers for cancer risk, progression, or response to treatment including immunologic markers and markers that change during the course of disease. Projects may identify, characterize, and validate targets for ongoing or future drug discovery, prognostic marker utility, or molecular epidemiology efforts for established disease or disease prevention. Novel agents could include, but are not restricted to, small molecules, antivirals, gene therapy, immunotherapy, vaccines, natural products, or drug delivery systems. Applications directly linking pathogenesis to molecular target identification and interdisciplinary approaches among virologists, microbiologists, molecular biologists, chemists, tumor biologists, immunologists, biochemists, pharmacologists or other disciplines appropriate to the proposed research will be encouraged.Description of Project:
This PA will use the NIH exploratory/development (R21) award mechanism and the NIH investigator-initiated research project grants (R01) award mechanism. Combined program interests provide a mechanism for the NCI to foster better integration of basic science, molecular epidemiology and preclinical studies across Divisions.