Lawrence Corey

Dr. Corey serves as Senior Vice President of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), Co-Director of the FHCRC Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VIDI), and Head of the Virology Division of the University of Washington's (UW) Department of Laboratory Medicine. Dr. Corey specializes in Herpesviruses, HIV, and other infectious disease-related research, especially viral infections associated with malignancies. The FHCRC and UW programs include both laboratory and clinical research programs and facilities. In the last 2-3 years, the FHCRC/VIDI has established a series of programs and studies on infectious disease-related cancers, especially as cancer has emerged as an increasing problem among HIV-positive populations.

Studies in the Corey laboratories include:
1. The Herpesvirus Research Program involves studies in HSV, CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-8. The genital HSV program has been the most long-standing, having had NIH funding since 1978. This program involves clinical investigations of HSV reactivation and transmission; laboratory-based studies on the cellular immunology of HSV; and studies of HSV-HIV interactions. From 1988-1990, Dr. Corey published a series of epidemiologic and mechanistic studies showing the association between HSV-2 and HIV-1. The laboratory continues to work on the mechanisms behind the in vivo interactions between the two pathogens. Recently, the laboratory has emphasized understanding the T cell immunobiology of HSV infections in humans and has shown that much of the immune control of HSV-2 occurs in the peripheral mucosal system. Studies are underway to define the T cell responses to HSV-2, including defining epitopes for the CD8 response and using in situ tetramer study to define HSV-2-positive T cells in vivo. The goal is to develop a CTL-based vaccine for both immunotherapy and prophylaxis. These studies are done in collaboration with Dr. David Koelle. The Clinical Research Program in genital herpes is directed by Dr. Anna Wald. A special clinic is dedicated to a wide range of clinical studies on the frequency of HSV acquisition and resolution, HSV prevalence, and vaccines and novel therapies for HSV infections.

2. Dr. Corey is the Principal Investigator of the NIAID-supported HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), a global network of clinical trial sites and laboratories dedicated to Phase I-III trials of candidate HIV vaccines. Other faculty involved in the effort are Drs. Julie McElrath, Steve Self, and Jim Kublin. Training opportunities for post-doctoral fellows interested in learning vaccine biology and clinical trials are available within the context of the Network.

3. The FHCRC Program in Infectious Diseases is interested in the prevention of CMV, HHV-6, and respiratory virus infections in the immunocompromised host and the role these infections play in the morbidity of HSCT. This work is led by Dr. Michael Boeckh at the FHCRC. Dr. Corey's laboratories provide the virological support for these studies.

5. The Program in HHV-8 Infection focuses on studies of the transmission of HHV-8, the interactions between HHV-8 and epithelial cells, and the epidemiology and pathogenesis of endemic and epidemic Kaposis Sarcoma (KSHV). Much of this work is done in collaboration with the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala, headed by Dr. Orem Jackson. This program is led by Dr. Corey Casper, in collaboration with Dr. Anna Wald. Studies to evaluate the role of KSHV in the progression of HIV are underway.

6. Dr. Corey directs the Virology Division within the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the UW, which is actively involved in developing new technologies to speed the diagnosis and treatment of viral infections, especially in the immunocompromised host.

Academic Experience:
Dr. Corey is an attending physician in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease at the University of Washington affiliated hospitals. He is a member of numerous committees and editorial boards in areas of infectious diseases, HIV infection, and HIV vaccines.