Grant: O.G: STBBI Res.: Beyond HIV/AIDS/Hep. C- STBBI other than HIV/hep. C (general)

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death and disease in women globally, but the risk is increased for women living in lower and middle income countries such as Kenya. This form of cancer is caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV), and scientists have shown that HPV can be prevented by vaccination. Unfortunately, not everyone who needs these vaccines have accessed them, and also these vaccines do not prevent infection once it occurs, meaning that new vaccine ideas might be needed for women who already have HPV infection or existing signs of cervical cancer. This grant will test whether a different type of immune response is present in tissues of women who clear HPV naturally from their bodies. If these natural responses can be increased through a new vaccine or treatment, it may provide a useful tool in addition to existing vaccines to reduce cervical cancer in regions affected by this disease.