The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications to expand the research scope and leverage the gains made through the Investigation of the Transmission of KSHV initiatives (RFA-CA-18-013 and RFA-CA-20-046) to support basic and translational research that will guide the development of a prophylactic or therapeutic Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) vaccine. A prophylactic KSHV vaccine could prevent primary KSHV infection, transmission, and subsequent development of KS and other KSHV-associated syndromes such multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS) or ameliorate the severity of disease. A therapeutic KSHV vaccine could be helpful in preventing or treating KSHV disease in people who are already infected with KSHV. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants time to develop responsive projects and meaningful collaborations. The NOFO is expected to use the U01This Notice encourages investigators with expertise and insights into the area of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and/or vaccine development to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. Among the areas of research encouraged in this initiative are identification and evaluation of KSHV structural and non-structural targets for a potential KSHV vaccine; development and testing of a candidate KSHV vaccine or vaccines; development of animal models to study a prototype KSHV vaccine or vaccines; studies to assess how the efficacy of a promising KSHV vaccine can be optimized for people with HIV; research to better define the initial steps of infection with KSHV and the primary means of person-to-person transmission in different populations that can be targeted with a vaccine; optimization and/or standardization of KSHV detection methods. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in HIV infection, KSHV infection, immune responses to KSHV and KSHV transmission, virology and vaccine development will be encouraged, and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this NOFO. mechanism with approximately 3-4 awards to be made for each of two receipt dates. Clinical trial is optional. The NOFO is expected to be published in fall of 2023 with expected application due dates in winter of 2023 and 2024. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.
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