The Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS & Cancer Virology, CCR

The Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS & Cancer Virology, NCI Despite significant advances in treatment, the number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected adults and children rose globally from ~3.9 million in 2004 to 4.3 million in 2006, and the number of deaths from ~2.7 million to 2.9 million over the same period. Moreover, the initial success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in reducing viral burden is now threatened by the rapid emergence of drug-resistant virus.

Approximately one of every five human cancers is caused by infectious agents with an estimate of 1.9 million cases per year worldwide. Of these cancers, approximately 70% are caused by viruses such as human papillomavirus, hepatitis virus types B and C, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 8, and human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus. Recent evidence also suggests that the increased life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals on HAART may enhance the risk of developing both AIDS-defining and non-defining cancers.

The mission of the Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Cancer Virology (CEHCV), established within the NCI’s Intramural Research Program, is to facilitate and rapidly communicate advances in the discovery, development and delivery of antiviral and immunologic approaches for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection, AIDS-related malignancies and cancer-associated viral diseases.

Toward this end, NCI research on AIDS, HIV and HTLV has resulted in 488 new invention reports, 1043 patents, and 246 licenses, including didanosine (Videx), ddI generics, ddC (Hivid), and darunavir (Prestiva).

To learn more about the Center, view our brochure.

Special Announcements

Structural Biology symposium HIV Protease and Beyond: The Past, Present, and Future of HIV Structural Biology
January 30-31, 2009
Bldg 549 Conference Center, NCI- Frederick
This symposium commemorates the 20th anniversary of the publication of the crystal structure of HIV protease, a turning point in the utilization of structural information for drug design. In addition, the relationship between structural biology and drug design for other HIV targets will be emphasized. For more information, to register, or submit an abstract please visit: http://web.ncifcrf.gov/events/hivprotease