Projects
Project 1: Characterization of the clinical epidemiology of lung cancer and relationship to HIV-1 infection in Uganda and Tanzania
Simon Kasasa, Project Co-Lead
Bruce Kirenga, Project Co-Lead
Sayoki Mfinanga, MD, PhD, Project Co-Lead
Robert Salata, MD, Project Co-Lead
Fredrick Schumacher, PhD, MPH, Project Co-Investigator
This project will provide an overall picture of lung cancer in East Africa specifically in Uganda and Tanzania and clarify the role of HIV-1 infection as a risk factor for lung cancer and progression. Researchers will examine the clinical and demographic features of patients with lung cancer, HIV-1 infection status, laboratory and radiographical findings, and treatments administered as well as identify epidemiological risk factors.
Project 2: Molecular determinants of lung cancer in HIV infected and uninfected individuals in Uganda and Tanzania
Stanton L. Gerson, MD, Project Lead
Immaculate Nankya, PhD, Project Co-Investigator
Navid Sadri, MD, Project Co-Investigator
Researchers will assess molecular risks and co-incidence of lung cancer, HIV and accelerated aging as a factor in lung cancer incidence and progression in HIV infected compared to uninfected individuals.
Project 3: Artificial Intelligence for Lung Cancer Characterization in HIV affected populations in Uganda and Tanzania
Anant Madabhushi, PhD, Project Lead
Harriet Kisembo, MBChB, MMed (Rad), Project Co-Lead
Amit Gupta, MD, Co-Investigator
In this project, we will develop a radiomics-based machine classifier called LunIRiS (Lung Image Risk Score) for predicting risk of malignancy for a nodule on a chest computed tomography (CT) or X-ray scan for use in patients in Uganda and Tanzania which has a higher prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and hence TB- induced granulomas. Additionally, we will seek to employ these tools to identify possible differences in the radiographic phenotype on CT and chest X-rays between HIV+ and HIV- lung cancer patients and to employ these differences to develop HIV status specific lung cancer screening models.
Cores
Administrative Core
The Administrative Core supports research, core and mentoring activities in collaboration with Makerere University Lung Institute, Uganda Cancer Institute, Joint Clinical Research Centre, Mulago National Hospital, National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Ocean Road Cancer Institute, and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center of Case Western Reserve University. The core ensures smooth communication and collaboration between the teams in the United States, Uganda and Tanzania to maximize time and resources.
Core Members
Robert Salata, MD
Bruce Kirenga, MBChB, PhD
Sayoki Mfinanga, MD, PhD
Stanton L. Gerson, MD
Sandra Rwambuya (Uganda Administrator)
Esther Ngadaya, MD (Tanzania Administrator)
Developmental Core
The Developmental Core provides infrastructure and expertise to recruit and support junior and new investigators to the field of HIV-associated cancers, especially lung cancer. The core will recruit, fund, monitor progress, provide mentorship and support the presentation of ongoing and completed research projects at the institutions in the United States, Uganda and Tanzania.
Core Members
Afshin Dowlati, MD, CWRU Core Co-Lead
Moses Joloba, MBChB, PhD, Uganda Core Co-Lead
Sayoki Mfinanga, MD, PhD, Tanzania Core Co-Lead
Pathology Core
The Pathology Core supports the goals of this U54 research collaboration, by the provision of high-quality diagnoses enabling enrollment of patients into each of the projects. The Pathology Core provides abilities to digitalize images of tissues obtained from patients in Uganda and Tanzania suspected of having lung adenocarcinoma – a lesion universally recognized as being under-reported in East Africa. The core will also engage in teaching and technology transfer to sites in East Africa, as deficiencies in pathology services are regarded as one of the most pressing problems to the improvement of the delivery of health care in Africa.
Core Members
Joseph Willis, MD, CWRU Core Co-Lead
Robert Lukande, MBChB, MMed, Uganda Core Co-Lead
Sayoki Mfinanga, MD, PhD, Tanzania Core Co-Lead
Innocent Mosha, MD, Tanzania Core Co-Investigator