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Li N, Jia W, Wang J, Shao Q, Feng X, Li Z, Sun W, Kang M, Hu D, Xing L, Zhan X. Clinically relevant immune subtypes based on alternative splicing landscape of immune-related genes for lung cancer advanced PPPM approach. EPMA J 2024; 15:345-373. [PMID: 38841624 PMCID: PMC11147996 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-024-00366-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Alternative splicing (AS) occurs in the process of gene post-transcriptional process, which is very important for the correct synthesis and function of protein. The change of AS pattern may lead to the change of expression level or function of lung cancer-related genes, and then affect the occurrence and development of lung cancers. The specific AS pattern might be used as a biomarker for early warning and prognostic assessment of a cancer in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM; 3PM). AS events of immune-related genes (IRGs) were closely associated with tumor progression and immunotherapy. We hypothesize that IRG-AS events are significantly different in lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) vs. controls or in lung squamous cell carcinomas (LUSCs) vs. controls. IRG-AS alteration profiling was identified to construct IRG-differentially expressed AS (IRG-DEAS) signature models. Study on the selective AS events of specific IRGs in lung cancer patients might be of great significance for further exploring the pathogenesis of lung cancer, realizing early detection and effective monitoring of lung cancer, finding new therapeutic targets, overcoming drug resistance, and developing more effective therapeutic strategies, and better used for the prediction, diagnosis, prevention, and personalized medicine of lung cancer. Methods The transcriptomic, clinical, and AS data of LUADs and LUSCs were downloaded from TCGA and its SpliceSeq databases. IRG-DEAS events were identified in LUAD and LUSC, followed by their functional characteristics, and overall survival (OS) analyses. OS-related IRG-DEAS prognostic models were constructed for LUAD and LUSC with Lasso regression, which were used to classify LUADs and LUSCs into low- and high-risk score groups. Furthermore, the immune cell distribution, immune-related scores, drug sensitivity, mutation status, and GSEA/GSVA status were analyzed between low- and high-risk score groups. Also, low- and high-immunity clusters and AS factor (SF)-OS-related-AS co-expression network and verification of cell function of CELF6 were analyzed in LUAD and LUSC. Results Comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic, clinical, and AS data of LUADs and LUSCs identified IRG-AS events in LUAD (n = 1607) and LUSC (n = 1656), including OS-related IRG-AS events in LUAD (n = 127) and LUSC (n = 105). A total of 66 IRG-DEAS events in LUAD and 89 IRG-DEAS events in LUSC were identified compared to controls. The overlapping analysis between IRG-DEASs and OS-related IRG-AS events revealed 14 OS-related IRG-DEAS events for LUAD and 16 OS-related IRG-DEAS events for LUSC, which were used to identify and optimize a 12-OS-related-IRG-DEAS signature prognostic model for LUAD and an 11-OS-related-IRG-DEAS signature prognostic model for LUSC. These two prognostic models effectively divided LUAD or LUSC samples into low- and high-risk score groups that were closely associated with OS, clinical characteristics, and tumor immune microenvironment, with significant gene sets and pathways enriched in the two groups. Moreover, weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) and nonnegative matrix factorization method (NMF) analyses identified four OS-relevant subtypes of LUAD and six OS-relevant subtypes of LUSC, and ssGSEA identified five immunity-relevant subtypes of LUAD and five immunity-relevant subtypes of LUSC. Interestingly, splicing factors-OS-related-AS network revealed hub molecule CELF6 was significantly related to the malignant phenotype in lung cancer cells. Conclusions This study established two reliable IRG-DEAS signature prognostic models and constructed interesting splicing factor-splicing event networks in LUAD and LUSC, which can be used to construct clinically relevant immune subtypes, patient stratification, prognostic prediction, and personalized medical services in the PPPM practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00366-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenshuang Jia
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiahong Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Baiyun Road 1083, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515 People’s Republic of China
| | - Qianwen Shao
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Feng
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhijun Li
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Sun
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Kang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongming Hu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ligang Xing
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250117 People’s Republic of China
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Bonner EA, Lee SC. Therapeutic Targeting of RNA Splicing in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1378. [PMID: 37510283 PMCID: PMC10379351 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is a key regulatory step in the proper control of gene expression. It is a highly dynamic process orchestrated by the spliceosome, a macro-molecular machinery that consists of protein and RNA components. The dysregulation of RNA splicing has been observed in many human pathologies ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to cancer. The recent identification of recurrent mutations in the core components of the spliceosome in hematologic malignancies has advanced our knowledge of how splicing alterations contribute to disease pathogenesis. This review article will discuss our current understanding of how aberrant RNA splicing regulation drives tumor initiation and progression. We will also review current therapeutic modalities and highlight emerging technologies designed to target RNA splicing for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Bonner
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stanley C. Lee
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Shamir I, Tsarfaty I, Paret G, Nevo-Caspi Y. Differential silencing of STAT3 isoforms leads to changes in STAT3 activation. Oncotarget 2023; 14:366-376. [PMID: 37097001 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor involved in multiple fundamental biological processes and a key player in cancer development and progression. STAT3 is activated upon tyrosine phosphorylation and is constitutively active in various malignancies; therefore, the expression of pSTAT3 has been recognized as a predictor of poor survival. STAT3 encodes two alternatively-spliced STAT3 isoforms: the full-length STAT3α isoform and the truncated STAT3β isoform. These isoforms have been suggested as the reason for the occasionally observed opposing roles of STAT3 in cancer: an oncogene, on one hand, and a tumor suppressor on the other. To investigate their roles in aggressive breast cancer, we separately silenced each isoform and found that they affect each other's activation, impacting cell viability, cytokine expression, and migration. Silencing specific isoforms can lead to a more favorable balance of activated STAT3 proteins in the cell. Distinguishing between the two isoforms and their active forms is crucial for STAT3-related cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Shamir
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ilan Tsarfaty
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gidi Paret
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yael Nevo-Caspi
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Gahete MD, Herman-Sanchez N, Fuentes-Fayos AC, Lopez-Canovas JL, Luque RM. Dysregulation of splicing variants and spliceosome components in breast cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2022; 29:R123-R142. [PMID: 35728261 DOI: 10.1530/erc-22-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The dysregulation of the splicing process has emerged as a novel hallmark of metabolic and tumor pathologies. In breast cancer (BCa), which represents the most diagnosed cancer type among women worldwide, the generation and/or dysregulation of several oncogenic splicing variants have been described. This is the case of the splicing variants of HER2, ER, BRCA1, or the recently identified by our group, In1-ghrelin and SST5TMD4, which exhibit oncogenic roles, increasing the malignancy, poor prognosis, and resistance to treatment of BCa. This altered expression of oncogenic splicing variants has been closely linked with the dysregulation of the elements belonging to the macromolecular machinery that controls the splicing process (spliceosome components and the associated splicing factors). In this review, we compile the current knowledge demonstrating the altered expression of splicing variants and spliceosomal components in BCa, showing the existence of a growing body of evidence supporting the close implication of the alteration in the splicing process in mammary tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel D Gahete
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Natalia Herman-Sanchez
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio C Fuentes-Fayos
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan L Lopez-Canovas
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Raúl M Luque
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
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Nogueira G, Fernandes R, García-Moreno JF, Romão L. Nonsense-mediated RNA decay and its bipolar function in cancer. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:72. [PMID: 33926465 PMCID: PMC8082775 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) was first described as a quality-control mechanism that targets and rapidly degrades aberrant mRNAs carrying premature termination codons (PTCs). However, it was found that NMD also degrades a significant number of normal transcripts, thus arising as a mechanism of gene expression regulation. Based on these important functions, NMD regulates several biological processes and is involved in the pathophysiology of a plethora of human genetic diseases, including cancer. The present review aims to discuss the paradoxical, pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles of NMD, and how cancer cells have exploited both functions to potentiate the disease. Considering recent genetic and bioinformatic studies, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the present knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different NMD modulation-based approaches in cancer therapy, reflecting on the challenges imposed by the complexity of this disease. Furthermore, we discuss significant advances in the recent years providing new perspectives on the implications of aberrant NMD-escaping frameshifted transcripts in personalized immunotherapy design and predictive biomarker optimization. A better understanding of how NMD differentially impacts tumor cells according to their own genetic identity will certainly allow for the application of novel and more effective personalized treatments in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Nogueira
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rafael Fernandes
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Juan F García-Moreno
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Romão
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Yang PL, Liu LX, Li EM, Xu LY. STAT3, the Challenge for Chemotherapeutic and Radiotherapeutic Efficacy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092459. [PMID: 32872659 PMCID: PMC7564975 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoradiotherapy is one of the most effective and extensively used strategies for cancer treatment. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulates vital biological processes, such as cell proliferation and cell growth. It is constitutively activated in various cancers and limits the application of chemoradiotherapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that STAT3 regulates resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and thereby impairs therapeutic efficacy by mediating its feedback loop and several target genes. The alternative splicing product STAT3β is often identified as a dominant-negative regulator, but it enhances sensitivity to chemotherapy and offers a new and challenging approach to reverse therapeutic resistance. We focus here on exploring the role of STAT3 in resistance to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors and radiotherapy, outlining the potential of targeting STAT3 to overcome chemo(radio)resistance for improving clinical outcomes, and evaluating the importance of STAT3β as a potential therapeutic approach to overcomes chemo(radio)resistance. In this review, we discuss some new insights into the effect of STAT3 and its subtype STAT3β on chemoradiotherapy sensitivity, and we explore how these insights influence clinical treatment and drug development for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Lian Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; (P.-L.Y.); (L.-X.L.)
- Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu-Xin Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; (P.-L.Y.); (L.-X.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; (P.-L.Y.); (L.-X.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Correspondence: (E.-M.L.); (L.-Y.X.); Tel.: +86-754-88900460 (L.-Y.X.); Fax: +86-754-88900847 (L.-Y.X.)
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; (P.-L.Y.); (L.-X.L.)
- Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Correspondence: (E.-M.L.); (L.-Y.X.); Tel.: +86-754-88900460 (L.-Y.X.); Fax: +86-754-88900847 (L.-Y.X.)
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Chen X, Chen HY, Chen ZD, Gong JN, Chen CYC. A novel artificial intelligence protocol for finding potential inhibitors of acute myeloid leukemia. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:2063-2081. [PMID: 32068215 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00061b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is currently no effective treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, and surgery is also ineffective as an important treatment for most tumors. Rapidly developing artificial intelligence technology can be applied to different aspects of drug development, and it plays a key role in drug discovery. Based on network pharmacology and virtual screening, candidates were selected from the molecular database. Nine artificial intelligence algorithm models were used to further verify the candidates' potential. The 350 training results of the deep learning model showed higher credibility, and the R-square of the training set and test set of the optimal model reached 0.89 and 0.84, respectively. The random forest model has an R-square of 0.91 and a mean square error of only 0.003. The R-square of the Adaptive Boosting model and the Bagging model reached 0.92 and 0.88, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation evaluated the stability of the ligand-protein complex and achieved good results. Artificial intelligence models had unearthed the promising candidates for STAT3 inhibitors, and the good performance of most models showed that they still had practical value on small data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Chen
- Artificial Intelligence Medical Center, School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China. and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China
| | - Hsin-Yi Chen
- Artificial Intelligence Medical Center, School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China.
| | - Zhi-Dong Chen
- Artificial Intelligence Medical Center, School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China. and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China
| | - Jia-Ning Gong
- Artificial Intelligence Medical Center, School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China. and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China
| | - Calvin Yu-Chian Chen
- Artificial Intelligence Medical Center, School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China. and Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan and Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
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