HIV+ Tumor Molecular Characterization Project

The Center for Cancer Genomics, along with the Office of HIV and AIDS Malignancies, initiated the HIV+ Tumor Molecular Characterization Project (HTMCP) to gain insight into the genetic events driving HIV-associated cancers and to determine why certain cancers, but not others, have higher incidences in HIV-positive patients. The molecular characterization data from patients identified through HTMCP will be available to the research community worldwide in a publicly available, yet patient privacy-protected database. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a complex and devastating disease caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has considerably slowed disease progression from HIV to full-blown AIDS, thereby increasing the number of people living with HIV. Despite this success in survivorship, certain types of cancers are becoming more prevalent in the expanding pool of HIV-infected individuals. While coinfecting viruses and, possibly, immunodeficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated cancers, our understanding of its etiology is inadequate. Understanding the molecular causes of these tumors may translate into improved therapies for a growing population of patients doubly afflicted with HIV and cancer.