Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with cervical and skin cancers, and people with a rare genetic disease called Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV) are especially susceptible to HPV-positive skin cancer. Most EV patients have a genetic defect that prevents their EVER proteins from functioning properly. While EVER proteins are highly expressed in normal immune cells, their precise roles are unknown, so Dr. Liblau is determining how EVER deficiency predisposes patients to HPV infection. To do that, he’s characterizing how different levels affect the immune system’s ability to root out HPV infections. This work will hopefully lead to the development of approaches to enhance immune responses in these at-risk or already affected patients.
With the help of the Cancer Research Institute, our research aims at clarifying, based on a rare disease associated with heightened susceptibility to skin cancer, the intricate interaction between an oncogenic virus, the immune system, and the target tissue.
Projects and Grants
EVER proteins: immune control of skin infection by beta-human papillomaviruses and skin cancer
Delegation Regionale Inserm Midi-Pyrenees / Limousin (France) | Skin Cancer | 2015
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