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Funded Projects

Prevention of HPV-Associated Anogenital Cancers Using HIV Protease Inhibitors

Awarded in 2020
Collaborative Health Sciences Program
Updated Jun 12, 2024

At a Glance

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly sexually transmitted disease in the United States – an estimated 79 million Americans are currently infected— and the number one risk factor for developing anogenital cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA). In Wisconsin, HPV-positive SCCA disproportionately affects underserved populations, particularly those living with HIV. Once HPV-driven anal pre-cancers are diagnosed, there are few treatment options that are effective or well-tolerated. This project builds on recent findings that show select FDA-approved protease inhibitors, previously used orally to treat HIV infection, can also be used topically to prevent HPV-associated cancers, in particular SCCA.

This team of interdisciplinary researchers will work to determine the molecular mechanisms supporting these effects and repurpose these drugs as an approach for anal cancer prevention in Wisconsin. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a new strategy to prevent HPV-associated cancers, particularly SCCA, especially in high-risk patients such as people living with HIV. This project also includes collaborators from UW–Madison.

More Funded Projects

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COVID-19 Response Grant

Predicting Patient Outcomes in Wisconsin and Nationwide Using the University of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 EHR Cohort Database

Outcome Report
Awarded in 2022
Using the COVID EHR Cohort at the University of Wisconsin (CEC-UW), this project aimed to analyze the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minority groups in Wisconsin, compare disease outcomes between UW Health and other health systems and test associations between risk factors, treatments and vaccine status with disease outcomes. CEC-UW has been collecting electronic health record (EHR) data from all COVID-19 patients across 21 participating health systems and, as of September 2021, has compiled more than 250 EHR elements from 1.1 million COVID-19 patients. This data has the potential to help target high-risk individuals, improve treatment, guide variant management and enhance response to future disease outbreaks. The results revealed that Black and Hispanic communities, along with low-income groups, faced significantly higher infection rates and more severe COVID-19 outcomes. Comparison of outcomes between health systems showed that UW Health patients had better recovery rates and lower mortality due to more effective health strategies, including advanced treatment protocols and higher vaccination rates. Finally, the project found that early treatments and full vaccination greatly improved outcomes, while those with underlying conditions or lack of vaccine access faced worse outcomes.
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Maternal and Child Health

Development of a OB Nurse Navigator Program in a Rural Critical Access Hospital

Outcome Report
Awarded in 2022
St. Croix Regional Medical Center received a 2022 Maternal and Child Health Grant for the project Development of an OB Nurse Navigator Program in a Rural Critical Access Hospital (St. Croix and surrounding counties). The project was successful in creating a comprehensive program to address patients’ prenatal and postpartum needs and provided social supports and resources for underserved families in this six-county rural area.