Emory University is awarded 3.9 million ($3,930,416 from 2022 to 2027) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH, NIDCR) for a new R01 to accelerate the search for novel biomarkers for oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among people living with HIV. The principal investigators, Canhua Xiao, PhD, RN, FAAN is an Associate professor in the School of Nursing, and Lisa Flowers, MD, MPH is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine.
HPV infection has been identified as a definite human carcinogen for oropharyngeal cancer. People living with HIV (PLWH) have a much higher rate of oral HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancer than the general population. Yet, the etiology and pathophysiology of oral HPV infection in PWH are not well-documented. Therefore, the collaboratory team will examine the associations among oral microbiome, periodontal diseases, and oral HPV infection. In addition, the team to identify and harness the unique immunological underpinnings of oral HPV infection in people with HIV. The immunological analysis of this study will be conducted by the study Co-investigator Vijayakumar Velu, PhD an immunologist, Assistant Professor from Emory Vaccine Center and Emory National Primate Center. Other Co-investigators are Drs. David Reznik, Deborah Bruner, Sudeshna Paul, Timonthy D. Read, Minh Ly T. Nguyen, Terryl Hartman, Elizabeth Unger, and Gypsyamber D’Souza. The findings may indicate new biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for preventing and managing oral HPV infection.
The study leaders are (left to right) Canhua Xiao, PhD, RN, FAAN; Lisa Flowers, MD, MPH; and Vijayakumar Velu, PhD.
