Systematic Evaluations of Kaposi Sarcoma Outcomes (SESKO)

SESKO is an ongoing collaborative research project that includes investigators at the University of Colorado Cancer Center (UCCC) and the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences (UZCHS) to initiate a systems biology approach to the study of AIDS-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma (AIDS-KS) in an African setting.  AIDS-KS is the third leading cause of mortality in antiretroviral treatment programs in southern Africa.  Zimbabweans with AIDS-KS have 16% two-year mortality and are at increased risk for death and loss-to-follow-up.  The lung is a commonly involved visceral organ in AIDS-KS, however diagnosis of pulmonary KS in African settings is difficult because of limited diagnostic capabilities and overlapping clinical and radiographic findings with common lung infections.  The overall goal of SESKO is to generate new information about the diagnosis of pulmonary disease in AIDS-KS patients.  SESKO is funded through a supplement to the (UCCC) P30 award to complete the following aims:  1) Estimate the prevalence of pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma, pulmonary tuberculosis and other lung infections in Zimbabweans with AIDS-KS.  2)  Conduct a pilot study to assess the performance of a novel proteomics screen to identify plasma proteins associated with AIDS-KS outcomes in Zimbabwe.  3) Create a resource of clinical data and biological samples for future unbiased proteomic, transcriptome and genetic screens to better understand the molecular basis for AIDS-KS outcomes in Zimbabwe. This project will end January 2018. Dr. Campbell can be reached at thomas.campbell@ucdenver.edu.