1
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Verhaegen Y, Liu L, Nguyen TT, Loy TV, Schols D, Voet ARD, Dehaen W, De Jonghe S. Identification of novel human CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) antagonists via the synthesis of naphthalene amide and sulfonamide isosteres. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107181. [PMID: 38354503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107181] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The human CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) has been extensively pursued as target for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. More recently, the importance of CCR8 in the tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated, spurring the interest in CCR8 antagonism as therapeutic strategy in immuno-oncology. On a previously described naphthalene sulfonamide with CCR8 antagonistic properties, the concept of isosterism was applied, leading to the discovery of novel CCR8 antagonists with IC50 values in the nM range in both the CCL1 competition binding and CCR8 calcium mobilization assay. The excellent CCR8 antagonistic activity of the most potent congeners was rationalized by homology molecular modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yenthel Verhaegen
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules, Celestijnenlaan 200F, box 2404, Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Libao Liu
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Tien T Nguyen
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Celestijnenlaan 200G, box 2403 Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Tom Van Loy
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Arnout R D Voet
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Celestijnenlaan 200G, box 2403 Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Wim Dehaen
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules, Celestijnenlaan 200F, box 2404, Leuven 3001 Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, box 1043, Leuven 3000 Belgium.
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2
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Singh U, Pawge G, Rani S, Hsiao CHC, Wiemer AJ, Wiemer DF. Diester Prodrugs of a Phosphonate Butyrophilin Ligand Display Improved Cell Potency, Plasma Stability, and Payload Internalization. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15309-15325. [PMID: 37934915 PMCID: PMC10683022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells with butyrophilin 3A1 (BTN3A1) agonists such as (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP) has the potential to boost the immune response. Because HMBPP is highly charged and metabolically unstable, prodrugs may be needed to overcome these liabilities, but the prodrugs themselves may be limited by slow payload release or low plasma stability. To identify effective prodrug forms of a phosphonate agonist of BTN3A1, we have prepared a set of diesters bearing one aryl and one acyloxymethyl group. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to stimulate Vγ9Vδ2 T cell proliferation, increase production of interferon γ, resist plasma metabolism, and internalize into leukemia cells. These bioassays have revealed that varied aryl and acyloxymethyl groups can decouple plasma and cellular metabolism and have a significant impact on bioactivity (>200-fold range) and stability (>10 fold range), including some with subnanomolar potency. Our findings increase the understanding of the structure-activity relationships of mixed aryl/acyloxymethyl phosphonate prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umed Singh
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United
States
| | - Girija Pawge
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Sarita Rani
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Chia-Hung Christine Hsiao
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Andrew J. Wiemer
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
- Institute
for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United
States
| | - David F. Wiemer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United
States
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1109, United
States
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3
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Lentini NA, Huang X, Schladetsch MA, Hsiao CHC, Wiemer DF, Wiemer AJ. Efficiency of bis-amidate phosphonate prodrugs. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 66:128724. [PMID: 35405283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128724] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bis-amidate derivatives have been viewed as attractive phosphonate prodrug forms because of their straightforward synthesis, lack of phosphorus stereochemistry, plasma stability and nontoxic amino acid metabolites. However, the efficiency of bis-amidate prodrug forms is unclear, as prior studies on this class of prodrugs have not evaluated their activation kinetics. Here, we synthetized a small panel of bis-amidate prodrugs of butyrophilin ligands as potential immunotherapy agents. These compounds were examined relative to other prodrug forms delivering the same payload for their stability in plasma and cell lysate, their ability to stimulate T cell proliferation in human PBMCs, and their activation kinetics in a leukemia co-culture model of T cell cytokine production. The bis-amidate prodrugs demonstrate high plasma stability and improved cellular phosphoantigen activity relative to the free phosphonic acid. However, the efficiency of bis-amidate activation is low relative to other prodrugs that contain at least one ester such as aryl-amidate, aryl-acyloxyalkyl ester, and bis-acyloxyalkyl ester forms. Therefore, bis-amidate prodrugs do not drive rapid cellular payload accumulation and they would be more useful for payloads in which slower, sustained-release kinetics are preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Lentini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1294, United States
| | - Xueting Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, United States
| | - Megan A Schladetsch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, United States
| | - Chia-Hung Christine Hsiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, United States
| | - David F Wiemer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1294, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1109, United States
| | - Andrew J Wiemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, United States; Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, United States.
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4
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Harmon N, Poe MM, Huang X, Singh R, Foust BJ, Hsiao CHC, Wiemer DF, Wiemer AJ. Synthesis and Metabolism of BTN3A1 Ligands: Studies on Diene Modifications to the Phosphoantigen Scaffold. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:164-170. [PMID: 35178171 PMCID: PMC8842111 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphoantigens (pAgs) are small organophosphorus compounds such as (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP) that trigger an immune response. These molecules bind to butyrophilin 3A1 (part of the HMBPP receptor) and activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. To explore the structure-activity relationships underlying this process, we evaluated a series of novel diene analogs of HMBPP. Here we report that prodrug forms of [(1E)-4-methylpenta-1,3-dien-1-yl] phosphonic acid that lack the allylic alcohol of HMBPP but instead contained a diene scaffold exhibit mid-nanomolar potency for the activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. The compounds also trigger the production of T-cell interferon γ upon exposure to loaded K562 cells. Although both the allylic alcohol and the diene scaffold boost pAg activity, the combination of the two decreases the activity and results in glutathione conjugation. Together, these data show that the diene scaffold results in intermediate pAgs that may have implications for the mechanisms regulating the HMBPP receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyema
M. Harmon
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
| | - Michael M. Poe
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Xueting Huang
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Rohit Singh
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Foust
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
| | - Chia-Hung Christine Hsiao
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - David F. Wiemer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States,Department
of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1109, United States
| | - Andrew J. Wiemer
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States,Institute
for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States,
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5
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Lentini NA, Schroeder CM, Harmon NM, Huang X, Schladetsch MA, Foust BJ, Poe MM, Hsiao CHC, Wiemer AJ, Wiemer DF. Synthesis and Metabolism of BTN3A1 Ligands: Studies on Modifications of the Allylic Alcohol. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:136-142. [PMID: 33488975 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
(E)-4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP) and its phosphonate analogs are potent phosphoantigens. HMBPP contains an (E)-allylic alcohol which interacts with the molecular target BTN3A1 giving an antigenic signal to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. As probes of BTN3A1 function, we prepared prodrug derivatives of the HMBPP analog C-HMBP that lack the (E)-allylic alcohol or have modified it to an aldehyde or aldoxime and evaluated their biological activity. Removal of the alcohol completely abrogates phosphoantigenicity in these compounds while the aldoxime modification decreases potency relative to the (E)-allylic alcohol form. However, homoprenyl derivatives oxidized to an aldehyde stimulate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells at nanomolar concentrations. Selection of phosphonate protecting groups (i.e., prodrug forms) impacts the potency of phosphoantigen aldehydes, with mixed aryl acyloxyalkyl forms exhibiting superior activity relative to aryl amidate forms. The activity correlates with the cellular reduction of the aldehyde to the alcohol form. Thus, the functionality on this ligand framework can be altered concurrently with phosphonate protection to promote cellular transformation to highly potent phosphoantigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Lentini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
| | - Chloe M. Schroeder
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
| | - Nyema M. Harmon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
| | - Xueting Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092,United States
| | - Megan A. Schladetsch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092,United States
| | - Benjamin J. Foust
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
| | - Michael M. Poe
- Department of Chemistry, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5413, United States
| | - Chia-Hung Christine Hsiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092,United States
| | - Andrew J. Wiemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092,United States
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - David F. Wiemer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1294, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1109, United States
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6
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Chen X, Luo W, Wang Y, Li Z, Ma X, Peng AY. Efficient Synthesis of Phosphonamidates through One-Pot Sequential Reactions of Phosphonites with Iodine and Amines. Chemistry 2020; 26:14474-14480. [PMID: 32776399 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202002934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A one-pot sequential strategy to construct phosphonamidates has been developed by generating phosphonites in situ from arylmagnesium bromides and triethyl phosphite followed by treatment with iodine and amines. A variety of phosphonamidates were obtained with good to excellent yields at room temperature from easily available materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunwei Chen
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Luo
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlin Wang
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zikang Li
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorui Ma
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ai-Yun Peng
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu, Guangzhou, China
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7
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Potent double prodrug forms of synthetic phosphoantigens. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115666. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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8
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Wiemer AJ. Metabolic Efficacy of Phosphate Prodrugs and the Remdesivir Paradigm. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:613-626. [PMID: 32821882 PMCID: PMC7409933 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Drugs that contain phosphates (and
phosphonates or phosphinates)
have intrinsic absorption issues and are therefore often delivered
in prodrug forms to promote their uptake. Effective prodrug forms
distribute their payload to the site of the intended target and release
it efficiently with minimal byproduct toxicity. The ability to balance
unwanted payload release during transit with desired release at the
site of action is critical to prodrug efficacy. Despite decades of
research on prodrug forms, choosing the ideal prodrug form remains
a challenge which is often solved empirically. The recent emergency
use authorization of the antiviral remdesivir for COVID-19 exemplifies
a new approach for delivery of phosphate prodrugs by parenteral dosing,
which minimizes payload release during transit and maximizes tissue
payload distribution. This review focuses on the role of metabolic
activation in efficacy during oral and parenteral dosing of phosphate,
phosphonate, and phosphinate prodrugs. Through examining prior structure–activity
studies on prodrug forms and the choices that led to development of
remdesivir and other clinical drugs and drug candidates, a better
understanding of their ability to distribute to the planned site of
action, such as the liver, plasma, PBMCs, or peripheral tissues, can
be gained. The structure–activity relationships described here
will facilitate the rational design of future prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Wiemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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9
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Abstract
Phosphoantigens (pAgs) are small phosphorus-containing molecules that stimulate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells with sub-nanomolar cellular potency. Recent work has revealed that these compounds work through binding to the transmembrane immunoglobulin butyrophilin 3A1 (BTN3A1) within its intracellular B30.2 domain. Engagement of BTN3A1 is critical to the formation of an immune synapse between cells that contain pAgs and the Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. This minireview summarizes the structure-activity relationships of pAgs and their implications to the mechanisms of butyrophilin 3 activation leading to Vγ9Vδ2 T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Wiemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, 69N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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10
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Li J, Lentini NA, Wiemer DF, Wiemer AJ. A luciferase lysis assay reveals in vivo malignant cell sensitization by phosphoantigen prodrugs. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 170:113668. [PMID: 31628909 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells respond to small phosphorus-containing compounds, often called phosphoantigens, which are now known to be intracellular ligands of the immune receptor butyrophilin 3A1 (BTN3A1). In order to compare the efficiency of butyrophilin ligands, we developed a luciferase-based lysis assay that measures the direct cytolysis by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells of luciferase-expressing K562 leukemia cells sensitized by phosphoantigen prodrugs. Our results show that the luciferase-based lysis assay allows in vitro and in vivo assessment of phosphoantigen activity in a way that does not require the extensive processing of flow cytometry or ELISA based approaches. In cellular assays, the structure activity relationships of phosphoantigen prodrugs correlate with ELISA-based activation assays, though phosphoantigen induced target cell lysis occurs at lower concentrations relative to T cell interferon γ production measured by ELISA. In mice dosed with phosphoantigens, a racemic aryl phosphonamidate prodrug, methyl 2-[[[(E)-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-pent-3-enyl]-(1-naphthyloxy)phosphoryl]amino]acetate (1-Nap/GlyOMe C-HMBP, 5), sensitized subcutaneous K562 tumors within minutes, and this effect was maintained at least four hours after treatment. In vivo activity of compound 5 was stronger than that of an equivalent dose of zoledronate. This luciferase lysis assay can be used for evaluation of phosphoantigens due to its time efficiency, high sensitivity, and in vivo compatibility and demonstrates rapid in vitro and in vivo sensitization of tumor cells by phosphoantigen prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
| | - Nicholas A Lentini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1294, USA
| | - David F Wiemer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1294, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1109, USA
| | - Andrew J Wiemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA.
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