“People living with HIV shoulder an enormous burden of cancer,” said Dr. Joseph Sparano, associate chair for clinical research in the department of oncology at Montefiore, associate director for clinical research at the Albert Einstein Cancer Center and principal investigator on the grant, in a statement. “AMC is the only organization worldwide solely dedicated to the study, treatment and prevention of cancer in this group of people.”
The next phase
The AIDS Malignancy Consortium oversees a network of 42 clinical trial sites in the U.S., Africa and Latin America as well as scientists who support its trials, Montefiore and Einstein noted.
It also runs a career program to help the next generation of leaders in the area receive resources and support. It works directly with people living with HIV and cancer to help better identify the needs of the community.
Results from its clinical trials have helped to strengthen treatment guidelines as well as to advance the prevention and management of cancers associated with human papillomavirus and the use of precision medicine and immunotherapy for people living with HIV who receive antiretroviral therapy, Montefiore and Einstein said.
“During this next phase, we will build on these successes, developing and leading additional clinical trials designed to address the most critical needs of people with HIV and cancer, precancerous disease and individuals at high risk for cancer—most importantly, completing the Anchor trial,” Sparano added.
The Anchor study focuses on the prevention and treatment of anal cancer caused by HPV. Dr. Rebecca Levine, assistant professor of surgery at Einstein and a surgical oncologist at Montefiore, is serving as the Anchor principal investigator at Einstein and Montefiore.
“We expect the results of this study will have an enormous impact on clinical care,” Levine said in a statement.
The AIDS Malignancy Consortium was previously led by the University of California, Los Angeles.
