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Ghini V, Sorbi F, Fambrini M, Magherini F. NMR Metabolomics of Primary Ovarian Cancer Cells in Comparison to Established Cisplatin-Resistant and -Sensitive Cell Lines. Cells 2024; 13:661. [PMID: 38667276 PMCID: PMC11049548 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell lines are frequently used in metabolomics, such as in vitro tumor models. In particular, A2780 cells are commonly used as a model for ovarian cancer to evaluate the effects of drug treatment. Here, we compare the NMR metabolomics profiles of A2780 and cisplatin-resistant A2780 cells with those of cells derived from 10 patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (collected during primary cytoreduction before any chemotherapeutic treatment). Our analysis reveals a substantial similarity among all primary cells but significant differences between them and both A2780 and cisplatin-resistant A2780 cells. Notably, the patient-derived cells are closer to the resistant A2780 cells when considering the exo-metabolome, whereas they are essentially equidistant from A2780 and A2780-resistant cells in terms of the endo-metabolome. This behavior results from dissimilarities in the levels of several metabolites attributable to the differential modulation of underlying biochemical pathways. The patient-derived cells are those with the most pronounced glycolytic phenotype, whereas A2780-resistant cells mainly diverge from the others due to alterations in a few specific metabolites already known as markers of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Ghini
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Flavia Sorbi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Massimiliano Fambrini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Francesca Magherini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.S.); (M.F.)
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Yi SY, Wei MZ, Zhao L. Targeted immunotherapy to cancer stem cells: A novel strategy of anticancer immunotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104313. [PMID: 38428702 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major disease that endangers human health. Cancer drug resistance and relapse are the two main causes contributing to cancer treatment failure. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small fraction of tumor cells that are responsible for tumorigenesis, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to conventional anticancer therapies. Therefore, CSCs are considered to be the root of cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Novel anticancer strategies need to face this new challenge and explore their efficacy against CSCs. Recently, immunotherapy has made rapid advances in cancer treatment, and its potential against CSCs is also an interesting area of research. Meanwhile, immunotherapy strategies are novel therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. In this review, we summarize the targeting of CSCs by various immunotherapy strategies such as monoclonal antibodies(mAb), tumor vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor-T cells(CAR-T) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review provides new insights into the application of these immunotherapeutic approaches to potential anti-tumor therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Yong Yi
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
| | - Mei-Zhuo Wei
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
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Jie X, Du M, Zhang M, Jin X, Cai Q, Xu C, Zhang X. Mutation analysis of circulating tumor DNA and paired ascites and tumor tissues in ovarian cancer. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:542. [PMID: 35978934 PMCID: PMC9366257 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is one conventional type of liquid biopsy that can be collected to dynamically monitor disease status. However, its potential clinical value and concordance with ascites samples or tumor biopsy needs to be evaluated further for patients with ovarian cancer. Therefore, the present study compared the mutation profiles among ctDNA, paired tumor tissue and ascites samples to explore their possible clinical value in ovarian cancer. Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to screen for mutations in 18 peripheral blood samples, six paired ascites samples and eight paired tumor tissues collected from patients with ovarian cancer. Functional analyses were performed using public databases. WebGestalt was used to perform Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses. The cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics was used to assess therapeutic targets. Chilibot and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins were used to obtain key genes and their functional interactions. Comparative analysis was performed among the three types of samples using Venn diagram. A total of 104 cancer-associated mutant genes in ctDNA samples, 95 genes in tumor tissues and 44 genes in ascites samples were found. A cluster covering 10 genes, namely NOTCH2, NOTCH3, lysine methyltransferase 2A, PTEN, androgen receptor, DNA-activated protein kinase catalytic subunit, hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox A, SRC, insulin receptor substrate 2 and SRY-box transcription factor 10, was obtained by Chilibot analysis. This gene panel may have the potential to monitor metastasis and identify therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer. Taken together, the present study focused on the mutant genes in ctDNA, ascites and tumor tissues, and suggested that the integrated information of different samples could be examined to comprehensively reflect the mutational landscape in ovarian cancer. However, procedures and protocols to interpret and utilize the integrated information obtained from various forms of liquid biopsies will require optimization prior to their use for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiang Jie
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Ming Du
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Xiayu Jin
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Qingqing Cai
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Congjian Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
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Rinne N, Christie EL, Ardasheva A, Kwok CH, Demchenko N, Low C, Tralau-Stewart C, Fotopoulou C, Cunnea P. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in epithelial ovarian cancer, therapeutic treatment options for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 4:573-595. [PMID: 35582310 PMCID: PMC9019160 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2021.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The survival rates for women with ovarian cancer have shown scant improvement in recent years, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 40% for women diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal subtype where the majority of women develop recurrent disease and chemotherapy resistance, despite over 70%-80% of patients initially responding to platinum-based chemotherapy. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway regulates many vital processes such as cell growth, survival and metabolism. However, this pathway is frequently dysregulated in cancers including different subtypes of ovarian cancer, through amplification or somatic mutations of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), amplification of AKT isoforms, or deletion or inactivation of PTEN. Further evidence indicates a role for the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in the development of chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Thus, targeting key nodes of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is a potential therapeutic prospect. In this review, we outline dysregulation of PI3K signaling in ovarian cancer, with a particular emphasis on HGSOC and platinum-resistant disease. We review pre-clinical evidence for inhibitors of the main components of the PI3K pathway and highlight past, current and upcoming trials in ovarian cancers for different inhibitors of the pathway. Whilst no inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway have thus far advanced to the clinic for the treatment of ovarian cancer, several promising compounds which have the potential to restore platinum sensitivity and improve clinical outcomes for patients are under evaluation and in various phases of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Rinne
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Anastasia Ardasheva
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Chun Hei Kwok
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nikita Demchenko
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Caroline Low
- Department of Metabolism Digestion & Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Catherine Tralau-Stewart
- Takeda Academic Innovation, Center for External Innovation, Takeda California, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Christina Fotopoulou
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paula Cunnea
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, London W12 0NN, UK
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Mesothelin Expression Is Not Associated with the Presence of Cancer Stem Cell Markers SOX2 and ALDH1 in Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031016. [PMID: 35162954 PMCID: PMC8834752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) overexpression (OE) is a frequent finding in ovarian carcinomas and increases cell survival and tumor aggressiveness. Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to pathogenesis, chemoresistance and malignant behavior in ovarian cancer (OC), we hypothesized that MSLN expression could be creating a favorable environment that nurtures CSCs. In this study, we analyzed the expression of MSLN and CSC markers SOX2 and ALDH1 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in different model systems: primary high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) and OC cell lines, including cell lines that were genetically engineered for MSLN expression by either CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout (Δ) or lentivirus-mediated OE. Cell lines, wild type and genetically engineered, were evaluated in 2D and 3D culture conditions and xenografted in nude mice. We observed that MSLN was widely expressed in HGSC, and restricted expression was observed in OC cell lines. In contrast, SOX2 and ALDH1 expression was limited in all tissue and cell models. Most importantly, the expression of CSC markers was independent of MSLN expression, and manipulation of MSLN expression did not affect CSC markers. In conclusion, MSLN expression is not involved in driving the CSC phenotype.
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Gamberi T, Chiappetta G, Fiaschi T, Modesti A, Sorbi F, Magherini F. Upgrade of an old drug: Auranofin in innovative cancer therapies to overcome drug resistance and to increase drug effectiveness. Med Res Rev 2021; 42:1111-1146. [PMID: 34850406 PMCID: PMC9299597 DOI: 10.1002/med.21872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Auranofin is an oral gold(I) compound, initially developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, Auranofin is under investigation for oncological application within a drug repurposing plan due to the relevant antineoplastic activity observed both in vitro and in vivo tumor models. In this review, we analysed studies in which Auranofin was used as a single drug or in combination with other molecules to enhance their anticancer activity or to overcome chemoresistance. The analysis of different targets/pathways affected by this drug in different cancer types has allowed us to highlight several interesting targets and effects of Auranofin besides the already well-known inhibition of thioredoxin reductase. Among these targets, inhibitory-κB kinase, deubiquitinates, protein kinase C iota have been frequently suggested. To rationalize the effects of Auranofin by a system biology-like approach, we exploited transcriptomic data obtained from a wide range of cell models, extrapolating the data deposited in the Connectivity Maps website and we attempted to provide a general conclusion and discussed the major points that need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Gamberi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Chiappetta
- Biological Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Group, Plasticité du Cerveau UMR 8249 CNRS, Paris, ESPCI Paris-PSL, France
| | - Tania Fiaschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Modesti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Flavia Sorbi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Magherini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Leite TC, Watters RJ, Weiss KR, Intini G. Avenues of research in dietary interventions to target tumor metabolism in osteosarcoma. J Transl Med 2021; 19:450. [PMID: 34715874 PMCID: PMC8555297 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03122-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary bone cancer, affecting mostly children and adolescents. Although much progress has been made throughout the years towards treating primary OS, the 5-year survival rate for metastatic OS has remained at only 20% for the last 30 years. Therefore, more efficient treatments are needed. Recent studies have shown that tumor metabolism displays a unique behavior, and plays important roles in tumor growth and metastasis, making it an attractive potential target for novel therapies. While normal cells typically fuel the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway with the products of glycolysis, cancer cells acquire a plastic metabolism, uncoupling these two pathways. This allows them to obtain building blocks for proliferation from glycolytic intermediates and ATP from OXPHOS. One way to target the metabolism of cancer cells is through dietary interventions. However, while some diets have shown anticancer effects against certain tumor types in preclinical studies, as of yet none have been tested to treat OS. Here we review the features of tumor metabolism, in general and about OS, and propose avenues of research in dietary intervention, discussing strategies that could potentially be effective to target OS metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiana Campos Leite
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Jean Watters
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kurt Richard Weiss
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Giuseppe Intini
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Periodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Changes in Stem Cell Regulation and Epithelial Organisation during Carcinogenesis and Disease Progression in Gynaecological Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133349. [PMID: 34283069 PMCID: PMC8268501 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recent advances in our understanding of the stem cell potential in adult tissues have far-reaching implications for cancer research, and this creates new opportunities for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Here we outline changes in stem cell biology that characterize main gynaecological malignancies, ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer, and focus on specific differences between them. We highlight the importance of the local niche environment as a driver of malignant transformation in addition to mutations in key cancer-driving genes. Patient-derived organoids capture in vitro main aspects of cancer tissue architecture and stemness regulatory mechanisms, thus providing a valuable new platform for a personalized approach in the treatment of gynecological malignancies. This review summarizes the main achievement and formulates remaining open questions in this fast-evolving research field. Abstract Gynaecological malignancies represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with vastly different aetiology, risk factors, molecular drivers, and disease outcomes. From HPV-driven cervical cancer where early screening and molecular diagnostics efficiently reduced the number of advanced-stage diagnosis, prevalent and relatively well-treated endometrial cancers, to highly aggressive and mostly lethal high-grade serous ovarian cancer, malignancies of the female genital tract have unique presentations and distinct cell biology features. Recent discoveries of stem cell regulatory mechanisms, development of organoid cultures, and NGS analysis have provided valuable insights into the basic biology of these cancers that could help advance new-targeted therapeutic approaches. This review revisits new findings on stemness and differentiation, considering main challenges and open questions. We focus on the role of stem cell niche and tumour microenvironment in early and metastatic stages of the disease progression and highlight the potential of patient-derived organoid models to study key events in tumour evolution, the appearance of resistance mechanisms, and as screening tools to enable personalisation of drug treatments.
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Liu C, Barger CJ, Karpf AR. FOXM1: A Multifunctional Oncoprotein and Emerging Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3065. [PMID: 34205406 PMCID: PMC8235333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a member of the conserved forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor family. Over the last two decades, FOXM1 has emerged as a multifunctional oncoprotein and a robust biomarker of poor prognosis in many human malignancies. In this review article, we address the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of regulation and oncogenic functions of FOXM1, particularly in the context of ovarian cancer. FOXM1 and its associated oncogenic transcriptional signature are enriched in >85% of ovarian cancer cases and FOXM1 expression and activity can be enhanced by a plethora of genomic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms. As a master transcriptional regulator, FOXM1 promotes critical oncogenic phenotypes in ovarian cancer, including: (1) cell proliferation, (2) invasion and metastasis, (3) chemotherapy resistance, (4) cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, (5) genomic instability, and (6) altered cellular metabolism. We additionally discuss the evidence for FOXM1 as a cancer biomarker, describe the rationale for FOXM1 as a cancer therapeutic target, and provide an overview of therapeutic strategies used to target FOXM1 for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68918-6805, USA; (C.L.); (C.J.B.)
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