Thomas Odeny Awarded ICTS JIT Grant
August 25, 2026
Thomas Odeny, MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Washington University and member of the Midwest D-CFAR, was recently awarded $5,000 in Just-in-Time (JIT) core usage funding through the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) for an innovative project titled Epidemiology of Cancer of Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus At JOOTRH. Dr. Odeny was also awarded a JIT Enhancement Fund through the Midwest D-CFAR, bringing his total funding to $10,000 for this project.
Thomas Odeny, MD, MPH, PhD
The ICTS JIT Core Usage Funding Program is designed to provide quick access to funding to use any of the JIT Cores for research advancing medical knowledge that can improve human health. JIT Enhancement Funds provide supplemental grant support to researchers who have received ICTS JIT funding for projects that are consistent with the goals of the Midwest D-CFAR.
Dr. Odeny’s research will contribute to the development of targeted, data-driven interventions that address both cancer and HIV-related health disparities in sub-Saharan Africa.
The global burden of cancer is increasing and 70% of new cancers cases are in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). A comprehensive response to the cancer burden in LMIC calls for an in-depth understanding of common cancers, which will lead to research on appropriately targeted prevention and treatment approaches. There is need for up-to-date data on cancer epidemiology in Africa and urgency to establish the infrastructure and expertise to develop relevant analytical methods to address this gap. Collating patient demographics and clinical information is one way to enhance cancer care and to identify new avenues for collaboration with others involved in oncology services.
In western Kenya, cancer represents a significant and growing public health challenge, occurring within a region that also experiences a high burden of HIV. The intersection of HIV and cancer is particularly important, as HIV increases susceptibility to oncogenic infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes viruses, contributing to elevated risks of cancers including cervical cancer and Kaposi sarcoma. However, limited longitudinal data exist to characterize cancer epidemiology, treatment outcomes, and factors contributing to poor survival in this population.
The ANGAZA study has addressed this critical gap by establishing a clinical database of all cancer patients at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), a major referral center in western Kenya. The database captures demographic and clinical information from approximately 4,000 cancer patients over a 10-year period, providing an opportunity to evaluate cancer trends, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.
This project will leverage the ANGAZA database to conduct comprehensive statistical analyses examining the burden of cancer in western Kenya. Investigators will develop and implement advanced biostatistical analysis plans to characterize cancer diagnoses, evaluate patterns in clinical outcomes including survival, and identify key factors associated with poor outcomes. Findings from these analyses will provide critical evidence to inform cancer control strategies, strengthen integration between HIV and oncology services, and identify opportunities to improve cancer care delivery and patient outcomes in high HIV-burden settings.
Congratulations, Dr. Odeny, from your colleagues at the Midwest D-CFAR!
Written by Kate Gershwin.