Epigenetic study of oral HPV infection-associated oral cancer in people living with HIV in Nigeria

This proposed research is responding to RFA-DE-22-003 to better understand the epidemiology and biology of oral HPV infection, its acquisition and persistence, in people living with HIV and elucidate the initial mechanisms related to HPV-associated oral and oropharyngeal cancers (OOPC) and warts in the context of HIV. Our long-term goal is to understand the role of risk factors and epigenetic biomarkers in HPV-associated OOPC and to develop potential targeted interventions to improve prevention and early detection of OOPC among people living with HIV (PLWH). Identifying epigenetic markers predictive of progression to invasion will also provide opportunities for developing future therapeutic targets for managing PLWH with precancerous and OOPC.