Understanding Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, Acquisition, and Persistence in People Living with HIV

Deadline: 18-Oct-21

The National Institutes of Health is seeking applications for its Understanding Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, Acquisition, and Persistence in People Living with HIV to solicit research to better understand the epidemiology and biology of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, its acquisition, and persistence, in people living with HIV and elucidate the initial mechanisms related to HPV-associated oral and oropharyngeal cancers and warts in the context of HIV.

Most initial oral HPV infections, within the general population, are asymptomatic and typically go unnoticed.

However, people living with HIV are at increased risk of oral HPV infection, persistence, and HIV-associated oral complications. Non-oncogenic or “low-risk” HPV genotypes, in particular HPV-32, are commonly found in oral warts, and HPV-16, one of the “high-risk” or oncogenic HPV genotypes, is detected in more than 90% of oropharyngeal cancers.

Due to reasons that remain unknown, people living with HIV suffer HPV-associated oral warts, benign oral pathologies not often seen in the general population, and have anywhere from a 2 to 4-fold increased risk for HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas as compared to HIV-negative individuals.

Areas of Research Interest or Scope

Research is needed to advance their understanding of the initial mechanisms related to oral HPV co-infection and persistence in the context of HIV to inform and advance efforts to reduce oral HPV transmission and the risk of chronic co-infection, and establishment of HPV in the basal cells of the epithelium.
This FOA encourages biological, immunogenetic, clinical and or socio-behavioral research that seeks to determine mechanisms underlying HPV infection, acquisition, and persistence in the oral cavity and oropharynx of people living with HIV. Studies involving humans and or human specimens are encouraged. Applicants who propose a study using animal and or in-vitro models should demonstrate direct relevance to clinical features of HPV acquisition and persistence in the HIV context.
Examples of research areas that fall within the scope of this FOA include, but are not limited to:
- Studies to understand the natural history of HPV acquisition and persistence in the oral and oropharyngeal mucosa and the risk factors in people living with HIV.
- Studies to examine the influences of social determinants in the HPV co-infection and HPV-associated disease outcomes at oral cavity and oropharynx in the contect of HIV.
- Studies to elucidate the biological, genetic/genomic, and immunologic mechanisms of oral HPV co-infection and persistence in the context of HIV.
- Studies to examine the extent to which oral diseases and conditions such as periodontitis may contribute to the process of HPV co-infection and persistence in people living with HIV.
- Studies to uncover the mechanisms and dynamics of HPV acquisition, persistence, and latency in cells within oropharyngeal tissue sites in people living with HIV.
- Studies to examine the impact of antiretroviral treatment on oral microbiome, HPV acquisition, its persistence, and HPV-associated oral and oropharyngeal cancers and warts in people living with HIV.
- Studies to examine prevention approaches for HPV oral acquisition and establishment in people living with HIV.
- Studies to determine the extent to which HPV vaccination may alter the natural hitory of oral and oropharyngeal HPV infection and persistence among HIV-seropositive individuals.
- Studies to identify biomarkers that can predict the development of oropharyngeal cancer in people living with HIV.
- Studies of the pathogenesis of HPV-oropharyngeal cancer in people living with HIV, including the role of HIV.

Funding Information

NIDCR intends to commit $ 2.5 million in FY 2022 to support 3-5 awards
NCI intends to commit $1.8 million in FY 2022 to support 2-4 awards
The maximum project period is 5 years.

Eligibility Criteria

Higher Education Institutions
- Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
- Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
For-Profit Organizations
- Small Businesses
- For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)
Local Governments
- State Governments
- County Governments
- City or Township Governments
- Special District Governments
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
Federal Governments
- Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
- U.S. Territory or Possession
Other
- Independent School Districts
- Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
- Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
- Regional Organizations
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions)