Joel M. Palefsky

Joel M. Palefsky, MD is a Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center, the world's first clinic devoted to anal cancer prevention. Dr. Palefsky holds leadership positions as Vice Chair of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium and Chair of the Anal Cancer/HSIL Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) Study. He is internationally recognized for his expertise on human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, particularly in the context of HIV co-infection.

• McGill University Faculty of Medicine, MD, CM (1980)
• Stanford University Medical Center, Infectious Diseases Fellowship (1989)
• McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Residency in Medicine (1985)

Dr. Palefsky's research focuses on the molecular biology, treatment, pathogenesis and natural history of anogenital HPV infections, particularly in HIV-positive individuals. His work spans HPV virology, anal cancer prevention, microbiome interactions with HPV, and HPV vaccine development. He has made significant contributions to understanding HPV-related cancers in immunocompromised populations and has led numerous clinical trials examining screening and prevention strategies for anal neoplasia.

Analysis of Dr. Palefsky's recent publications reveals a strong focus on HPV-related cancers, particularly anal cancer in HIV-positive populations. His work spans basic virology, epidemiology, clinical trials, and implementation science. Key themes include HPV vaccine development and efficacy, anal cancer screening guidelines, the role of microbiome in cancer development, and health equity considerations in HPV-related cancer prevention. His research increasingly incorporates global health perspectives with studies in Africa and Latin America.

Dr. Palefsky has held numerous leadership positions in professional societies, including founder and past president of the International Anal Neoplasia Society and past president of the International Papillomavirus Society. He is the founder and chairperson of the IPVS International HPV Awareness Campaign. His work has been supported by substantial NIH funding for decades, reflecting the significance of his contributions to the field.

As Principal Investigator, Dr. Palefsky has secured numerous NIH grants totaling millions of dollars, including the California-Mexico-Puerto Rico Partnership (CAMPO) Center for Prevention of HPV-related Cancer in HIV+ Populations (U54CA242646), New therapeutic HPV vaccines for HIV infected men and women (R01CA217715), and The Microbiome and Anal Cancer Pathogenesis in HIV-infected Men who have Sex with Men (R03CA203589). His ANCHOR study demonstrated for the first time that treatment of anal precancerous lesions prevents anal cancer development.

Dr. Palefsky directs the Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center at UCSF, the world's first clinic devoted to anal cancer prevention. He leads the ANCHOR study team and collaborates with international research teams across Africa, India, and Latin America. His work bridges basic science, clinical care, and public health implementation to address HPV-related cancers globally, with particular focus on vulnerable populations including people living with HIV.