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Wang Y, Nie G, Wang X, Ge W, Zhang Y. Development of small molecule inhibitors targeting RNA helicase DHX33 as anti-cancer agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 96:129505. [PMID: 37838340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
RNA helicase DHX33 has been identified to be a critical factor in promoting cancer development. Genetic deletion of DHX33 significantly blocks tumorigenesis. Importantly, its helicase activity was found to be pivotal for exerting cellular functions. Herein we used a helicase-based high throughput screening (HTS) to discover DHX33 inhibitors from Chembridge chemical library containing 15,000 small molecules. We identified a hit compound containing benzimidazole ring that demonstrated activity against DHX33 with certain selectivity. Further structural optimization led to the design and synthesis of a series of analog inhibitors. Considering the potential role of DHX33 in cancer development, the compounds were evaluated based on the cytotoxicity activity in U251-MG cancer cells in vitro. Among them, compound IVa (KY386) was identified to be a selective inhibitor for DHX33 helicase with potent anti-cancer activity and moderate metabolic stability. These results support the promising role of DHX33 inhibitors for development of novel anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingcai Wang
- Shenzhen KeYe Life Technologies Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China; Acme Bioscience, Inc, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
| | - Guangli Nie
- Shenzhen KeYe Life Technologies Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Xingshun Wang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China; Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Yandong Zhang
- Shenzhen KeYe Life Technologies Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China.
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2
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Zhang Y, Zheng F, Wang F, Liu X, Xiang C, Fu S, Shen K, Liu G. The Expression of Two Distinct Sets of Glycolytic Enzymes Reveals Differential Effects of Glycolytic Reprogramming on Pancreatic Ductal Tumorigenesis in Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2962. [PMID: 38001963 PMCID: PMC10669313 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112962] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with enhanced aerobic glycolysis through elevated glucose uptake and the upregulated expression of genes encoding rate-limiting glycolytic enzymes. However, the direct impact of altered glycolytic pathways on pancreatic tumor progression has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we utilized two strains of BAC transgenic mice with pancreatic expression of two distinct sets of glycolytic genes each arranged in a polycistronic fashion (PFKFB3-HK2-GLUT1 and LDHA-PDK1, respectively) to investigate the role of altered glycolysis on the development of pancreatic ductal tumor development in the Pdx1-Cre; LSL-KrasG12D mice. The overexpression of the two sets of glycolytic genes exhibited no significant effects on tumor development in the 4-5-month-old mice (the PanIN2 lesions stage). In the 9-10-month-old mice, the overexpression of PFKFB3-HK2-GLUT1 significantly accelerated PanIN3 progression, exhibiting elevated levels of ductal cell marker CK19 and tumor fibrosis. Surprisingly, the overexpression of LDHA-PDK1 significantly attenuated the progression of PanIN3 in the 9-10-month-old mice with significantly downregulated levels of CK19 and fibrosis. Therefore, distinct set of glycolytic enzymes that are involved in different glycolytic routes exhibited contrasting effects on pancreatic ductal tumor development depending on the tumor stages, providing novel insights into the complexity of the glycolytic pathway in the perspective of PDAC development and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Geng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech District, Nanjing 210061, China; (Y.Z.); (F.Z.); (F.W.); (X.L.); (C.X.); (S.F.); (K.S.)
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3
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Chae HS, Hong ST. Overview of Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Transduction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:12. [PMID: 36613455 PMCID: PMC9819818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable progress in cancer treatment up to now, we are still far from conquering the disease. The most substantial change after the malignant transformation of normal cells into cancer cells is the alteration in their metabolism. Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to support the elevated energy demand as well as the acquisition and maintenance of their malignancy, even in nutrient-poor environments. The metabolic alterations, even under aerobic conditions, such as the upregulation of the glucose uptake and glycolysis (the Warburg effect), increase the ROS (reactive oxygen species) and glutamine dependence, which are the prominent features of cancer metabolism. Among these metabolic alterations, high glutamine dependency has attracted serious attention in the cancer research community. In addition, the oncogenic signaling pathways of the well-known important genetic mutations play important regulatory roles, either directly or indirectly, in the central carbon metabolism. The identification of the convergent metabolic phenotypes is crucial to the targeting of cancer cells. In this review, we investigate the relationship between cancer metabolism and the signal transduction pathways, and we highlight the recent developments in anti-cancer therapy that target metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Suk Chae
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 561-712, Jeonnbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Tshool Hong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 561-712, Jeonnbuk, Republic of Korea
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A Missense Variant in PDK1 Associated with Severe Neurodevelopmental Delay and Epilepsy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123171. [PMID: 36551928 PMCID: PMC9775741 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is responsible for the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, which is used for energy conversion in cells. PDC activity is regulated by phosphorylation via kinases and phosphatases (PDK/PDP). Variants in all subunits of the PDC and in PDK3 have been reported, with varying phenotypes including lactic acidosis, neurodevelopmental delay, peripheral neuropathy, or seizures. Here, we report a de novo heterozygous missense variant in PDK1 (c.1139G > A; p.G380D) in a girl with developmental delay and early onset severe epilepsy. To investigate the role of PDK1G380D in energy metabolism and neuronal development, we used a zebrafish model. In zebrafish embryos we show a reduced number of cells with mitochondria with membrane potential, reduced movements, and a delay in neuronal development. Furthermore, we observe a reduction in the phosphorylation of PDH-E1α by PDKG380D, which suggests a disruption in the regulation of PDC activity. Finally, in patient fibroblasts, a mild reduction in the ratio of phosphorylated PDH over total PDH-E1α was detected. In summary, our findings support the notion that this aberrant PDK1 activity is the cause of clinical symptoms in the patient.
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Chen Q, Han H, Lin F, Yang L, Feng L, Lai X, Wen Z, Yang M, Wang C, Ma Y, Yin T, Lu G, Lin H, Qi J, Yang Y. Novel shikonin derivatives suppress cell proliferation, migration and induce apoptosis in human triple-negative breast cancer cells via regulating PDK1/PDHC axis. Life Sci 2022; 310:121077. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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MAGEA11 as a STAD Prognostic Biomarker Associated with Immune Infiltration. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12102506. [PMID: 36292195 PMCID: PMC9600629 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12102506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of MAGE family member A11 (MAGEA11) is upregulated in different tumors. However, in gastric cancer, the prognostic significance of MAGEA11 and its relationship with immune infiltration remain largely unknown. The expression of MAGEA11 in pan-cancer and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and survival impact of gastric cancer were evaluated by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Whether MAGEA11 was an independent risk factor was assessed by Cox analysis. Nomograms were constructed from MAGEA11 and clinical variables. Gene functional pathway enrichment was obtained based on MAGEA11 differential analysis. The relationship between MAGEA11 and immune infiltration was determined by the Tumor Immunity Estimation Resource (TIMER) and the Tumor Immune System Interaction Database (TISIDB). Finally, MAGEA11-sensitive drugs were predicted based on the CellMiner database. The results showed that the expression of MAGEA11 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. The ROC curve indicated an AUC value of 0.667. Survival analysis showed that patients with high MAGEA11 had poor prognosis (HR = 1.43, p = 0.034). In correlation analysis, MAGEA11 mRNA expression was found to be associated with tumor purity and immune invasion. Finally, drug sensitivity analysis found that the expression of MAGEA11 was correlated with seven drugs. Our study found that upregulated MAGEA11 in gastric cancer was significantly associated with lower survival and invasion by immune infiltration. It is suggested that MAGEA11 may be a potential biomarker and immunotherapy target for gastric cancer.
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Guo Y, Wang L, Yang H, Ding N. Knockdown long non-coding RNA HCP5 enhances the radiosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma by modulating AKT signaling activation. Bioengineered 2022; 13:884-893. [PMID: 34969363 PMCID: PMC8805942 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2014386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been revealed to participate in cancer therapy. Especial in tumor radiotherapy, lncRNAs usually could enhance or restrict the radiosensitivity in different ways. LncRNA HCP5 is highly expressed in esophageal cancer and influenced the malignant behaviors of esophageal cancer cells. However, this study dedicates to clarify if lncRNA HCP5 affects the radiosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma. The expression levels of HCP5 in esophageal cancer and adjacent noncancerous tissue were first analyzed on the TCGA database and then detected by qRT-PCR. The related functional experiments were used to investigate whether the radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was affected by the inhibition of HCP5. The expression results showed HCP5 is upregulated in esophageal cancers compared to the normal tissues. Meanwhile, knockdown HCP5 further suppressed the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells treated with a 2 Gy dose of radiotherapy. Moreover, we uncovered that knockdown HCP5 eliminated radiotherapy resistance by modulating the miR-216a-3p/PDK1 axis to inhibit the AKT activation. Finally, rescue experiments pointed that lowering the miR-216a-3p expression weakened the inhibition effect of knockdown HCP5 on cells treated with radiotherapy. To summary, our results indicate that HCP5 is involved in esophageal carcinoma radiotherapy and knockdown HCP5 enhances the radiosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma by modulating AKT signaling activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Guo
- Hematology Department, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Nannan Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
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Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte elicited therapeutic vaccine candidate targeting cancer against MAGE-A11 carcinogenic protein. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:226922. [PMID: 33169789 PMCID: PMC7711063 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20202349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a breakthrough approach for cancer treatment and prevention. By exploiting the fact that cancer cells have overexpression of tumor antigens responsible for its growth and progression, which can be identified and removed by boosting the immune system. In silico techniques have provided efficient ways for developing preventive measures to ward off cancer. Herein, we have designed a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope to elicit a desirable immune response against carcinogenic melanoma-associated antigen-A11. Potent epitope was predicted using reliable algorithms and characterized by advanced computational avenue CABS molecular dynamics simulation, for full flexible binding with HLA-A*0201 and androgen receptor to large-scale rearrangements of the complex system. Results showed the potent immunogenic construct (KIIDLVHLL), from top epitopes using five algorithms. Molecular docking analyses showed the strong binding of epitope with HLA-A*0201 and androgen receptor with docking score of -780.6 and -641.06 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed strong binding of lead epitope with androgen receptor by involvement of 127 elements through atomic-model study. Full flexibility study showed stable binding of epitope with an average root mean square deviation (RMSD) 2.21 Å and maximum RMSD value of 6.48 Å in optimal cluster density area. The epitope also showed remarkable results with radius of gyration 23.0777 Å, world population coverage of 39.08% by immune epitope database, and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) affinity IC50 value of 2039.65 nm. Moreover, in silico cloning approach confirmed the expression and translation capacity of the construct within a suitable expression vector. The present study paves way for a potential immunogenic construct for prevention of cancer.
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Jin L, Kim EY, Chung TW, Han CW, Park SY, Han JH, Bae SJ, Lee JR, Kim YW, Jang SB, Ha KT. Hemistepsin A suppresses colorectal cancer growth through inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase activity. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21940. [PMID: 33318678 PMCID: PMC7736850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79019-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cancer cells primarily produce their energy through a high rate of glycolysis followed by lactic acid fermentation even in the presence of abundant oxygen. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) 1, an enzyme responsible for aerobic glycolysis via phosphorylating and inactivating pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex, is commonly overexpressed in tumors and recognized as a therapeutic target in colorectal cancer. Hemistepsin A (HsA) is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Hemistepta lyrata Bunge (Compositae). Here, we report that HsA is a PDK1 inhibitor can reduce the growth of colorectal cancer and consequent activation of mitochondrial ROS-dependent apoptotic pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Computational simulation and biochemical assays showed that HsA directly binds to the lipoamide-binding site of PDK1, and subsequently inhibits the interaction of PDK1 with the E2 subunit of PDH complex. As a result of PDK1 inhibition, lactate production was decreased, but oxygen consumption was increased. Mitochondrial ROS levels and mitochondrial damage were also increased. Consistent with these observations, the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells was promoted by HsA with enhanced activation of caspase-3 and -9. These results suggested that HsA might be a potential candidate for developing a novel anti-cancer drug through suppressing cancer metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Jin
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Yangsan, Gyeonsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Healthy Aging Korean Medical Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Yeong Kim
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Yangsan, Gyeonsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Healthy Aging Korean Medical Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Wook Chung
- Healthy Aging Korean Medical Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Woo Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ho Han
- Healthy Aging Korean Medical Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Jin Bae
- Healthy Aging Korean Medical Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Rok Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Woo Kim
- School of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, 38066, Korea
| | - Se Bok Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Tae Ha
- Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Yangsan, Gyeonsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea.
- Healthy Aging Korean Medical Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea.
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Pascale RM, Calvisi DF, Simile MM, Feo CF, Feo F. The Warburg Effect 97 Years after Its Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2819. [PMID: 33008042 PMCID: PMC7599761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of the oxidative metabolism in cancer, as shown by the increased aerobic glycolysis and impaired oxidative phosphorylation (Warburg effect), is coordinated by genetic changes leading to the activation of oncogenes and the loss of oncosuppressor genes. The understanding of the metabolic deregulation of cancer cells is necessary to prevent and cure cancer. In this review, we illustrate and comment the principal metabolic and molecular variations of cancer cells, involved in their anomalous behavior, that include modifications of oxidative metabolism, the activation of oncogenes that promote glycolysis and a decrease of oxygen consumption in cancer cells, the genetic susceptibility to cancer, the molecular correlations involved in the metabolic deregulation in cancer, the defective cancer mitochondria, the relationships between the Warburg effect and tumor therapy, and recent studies that reevaluate the Warburg effect. Taken together, these observations indicate that the Warburg effect is an epiphenomenon of the transformation process essential for the development of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Pascale
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Diego Francesco Calvisi
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Simile
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Claudio Francesco Feo
- Department of Clinical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Surgery, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Francesco Feo
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
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