Advancing HIV and Cancer Research: Implementing an AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource in Latin America

Authors

Larissa L. Scholte, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Evandro S. Mello, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Karim Yaqub Ibrahim, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Miyuki Uno, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vanesse Maria da Costa, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ellen Sayuri Miazima, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Camila Motta Moniz, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Giullia Dias de Souza, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Larissa Oliveira Amorim, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Isabela Cristina de Souza, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Kris Oliveira, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Roger Chammas, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Kristina Bowles, Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Lipsa Das, Department of Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Anna E. Coghill, Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Lisa Rimsza, Department of Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Aluisio Segurado, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Jeffrey M. Bethony, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-8-2025

Journal

Biopreservation and biobanking

DOI

10.1177/19475535251363861

Keywords

HIV; biorepository; cancer; translational research

Abstract

The AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) has developed a global biorepository network to support research on AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers. This article details the establishment of a dedicated HIV-associated cancer biorepository in São Paulo, Brazil, a region with a high burden of these malignancies. The repository addresses the need for high-quality, well-annotated biospecimens from Latin American (LATAM) populations to support research on cancer pathogenesis in people with HIV (PWH), viral reservoirs, and clinical outcomes. It systematically collects and links biospecimens with demographic and clinical data, providing a resource for investigators. Developed with international ethics, community engagement, and regulatory standards, the biorepository is modeled after similar efforts in low- and middle-income countries. This article outlines its implementation, including sample acquisition, infrastructure, inventory management, data governance, and research collaboration. By expanding access to biospecimens, the ACSR supports research that can improve outcomes for PWH and cancer, while strengthening research capacity in the LATAM region.

APA Citation

Scholte, Larissa L.; Mello, Evandro S.; Ibrahim, Karim Yaqub; Uno, Miyuki; da Costa, Vanesse Maria; Miazima, Ellen Sayuri; Moniz, Camila Motta; de Souza, Giullia Dias; Amorim, Larissa Oliveira; de Souza, Isabela Cristina; Oliveira, Kris; Chammas, Roger; Bowles, Kristina; Das, Lipsa; Coghill, Anna E.; Rimsza, Lisa; Segurado, Aluisio; and Bethony, Jeffrey M., "Advancing HIV and Cancer Research: Implementing an AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource in Latin America" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7796.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7796

Department

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine