Paul Lambert, an oncologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has gained international recognition for his research on the role of viruses in cancer. Lambert leads three NIH research grants and is the editor of the journal Virology. He emphasizes that continued funding for research is crucial for developing “more effective therapies and greater understanding of how to fight cancer from every angle.”
Lambert heads the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at UW–Madison, where he has developed new anti-cancer therapies, particularly focusing on cervical cancer. His research aims to prevent and treat cancers caused by viral infections. As chair of the Department of Oncology in the Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Lambert discusses the importance of ongoing research into tumor viruses, which account for about 15% of all human cancers.
The project he leads is a continuation of work initiated over 46 years ago by Dr. Howard Temin. It supports a collaborative program focused on studying tumor viruses like HPV (human papillomavirus), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis B and C, and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). These viruses are responsible for approximately 15% of all human cancers worldwide.
Lambert’s current research centers on HPV, EBV, and KSHV. Over time, his team has also studied hepatitis B and C viruses as well as Merkel cell polyomavirus. These studies aim to understand how these viruses cause various types of cancer such as cervical, anal, penile, head and neck cancers, liver cancer, and lymphomas.
One significant public health impact is related to HPV vaccination. HPV causes about 5% of all human cancers; most are preventable through vaccination. For instance, cervical cancer can be largely prevented with widespread use of HPV vaccines.
In collaboration with the Gates Foundation, Lambert’s team is working on therapeutic vaccines for countries with limited access to advanced cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.
Research into tumor viruses has implications beyond virus-related cancers. Studies on HPV proteins led to discoveries about key tumor suppressors like p53—now known as the most commonly mutated gene in human cancers—and mechanisms used by HPV that contribute to resistance against immunotherapy across many cancer types.
Clinical applications from this research include a trial at UW–Madison using HIV protease inhibitors to target HPV-positive cancer cells—a strategy inspired by basic science from other labs focusing on HIV.
Despite its successes, Lambert’s research recently faced challenges due to a seven-week delay in funding renewal which disrupted ongoing projects.
Looking forward, Lambert’s team aims to develop novel therapeutics and vaccines especially for settings lacking conventional treatments while deepening their understanding of virus-host interactions.
Lambert stresses that many studied cancers are preventable through vaccination or better public health outreach: “Continued investment in this research means more lives saved.”
