Co-infection and Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to enhance mechanistic and epidemiologic investigations addressing the roles of co-infection and cancer. This includes the occurrence of infections by two or more infectious agents, either concurrently or sequentially, and includes both acute and chronic infections by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and/or other microorganisms. Preference will be given to investigations of co-infections with known oncogenic agents (excluding human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) and of co-infections that engender novel opportunities for prevention and treatment. Key aspects of this opportunity include: * Investigating co-infections and their role in carcinogenesis * Enhancing mechanistic and epidemiologic investigations * Focusing on co-infections with known oncogenic agents (excluding HIV) * Exploring novel opportunities for prevention and treatment * Supporting research that sheds light on presently unestablished pathways in carcinogenesis