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Xu J, Kong Y, Zhu P, Du M, Liang X, Tong Y, Li X, Dong C. Progress in small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1161-1175. [PMID: 38665838 PMCID: PMC11042164 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00655g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
PD-L1 is a transmembrane protein overexpressed by tumor cells. It binds to PD-1 on the surface of T-cells, suppresses T-cell activity and hinders the immune response against cancer. Clinically, several monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have achieved significant success in cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, their disadvantages, such as unchecked immune responses, high cost and long half-life, stimulated pharmacologists to develop small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1. After a batch of excellent inhibitors with a biphenyl core structure were firstly reported by BMS, more and more researchers focused on small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1 rather than PD-1. Numerous small-molecule inhibitors were extensively designed and synthesized in the past few years. In this paper, the structural characteristics of PD-L1 and complexes of PD-L1 with its inhibitors are elaborated and small molecule inhibitors developed in the last decade are summarized as well. This paper aims to provide insights into further designing and synthesis of small molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindan Xu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Polysaccharide Research Center Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Polysaccharides and Drugs Research Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Yuanfang Kong
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Pengbo Zhu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Polysaccharide Research Center Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Polysaccharides and Drugs Research Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Mingyan Du
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Polysaccharide Research Center Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Polysaccharides and Drugs Research Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Xuan Liang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Yan Tong
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Polysaccharide Research Center Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Polysaccharides and Drugs Research Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
| | - Chunhong Dong
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Polysaccharide Research Center Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Polysaccharides and Drugs Research Zhengzhou 450046 Henan China
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2
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Zhang J, Yu J, Liu M, Xie Z, Lei X, Yang X, Huang S, Deng X, Wang Z, Tang G. Small-molecule modulators of tumor immune microenvironment. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107251. [PMID: 38442612 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107251] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy, aimed at increasing the activity of immune cells and reducing immunosuppressive effects, has attracted wide attention. Among them, immune checkpoint blocking (ICB) is the most commonly explored therapeutic approach. All approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are clinically effective monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Compared with biological agents, small-molecule drugs have many unique advantages in tumor immunotherapy. Therefore, they also play an important role. Immunosuppressive signals such as PD-L1, IDO1, and TGF-β, etc. overexpressed in tumor cells form the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. In addition, the efficacy of multi-pathway combined immunotherapy has also been reported and verified. Here, we mainly reviewed the mechanism of tumor immunotherapy, analyzed the research status of small-molecule modulators, and discussed drug candidates' structure-activity relationship (SAR). It provides more opportunities for further research to design more immune small-molecule modulators with novel structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jia Yu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Meijing Liu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Zhizhong Xie
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiaoyong Lei
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Jiuzhitang Co., Ltd, Changsha, Hunan 410007, China
| | - Xiangping Deng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Guotao Tang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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Alharbi B, Qanash H, Binsaleh NK, Alharthi S, Elasbali AM, Gharekhan CH, Mahmoud M, Lioudakis E, O'Leary JJ, Doherty DG, Mohamed BM, Gray SG. Proof of concept nanotechnological approach to in vitro targeting of malignant melanoma for enhanced immune checkpoint inhibition. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7462. [PMID: 37156818 PMCID: PMC10167246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34638-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have limitations in their effective treatment of malignancies. The immunosuppressive environment associated with the tumor microenvironment may prevent the achievement of optimal outcomes for immune checkpoint inhibitors alone, and nanotechnology-based platforms for delivery of immunotherapeutic agents are increasingly being investigated for their potential to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. In this manuscript, nanoparticles were designed with appropriate size and surface characteristics to enhance their retention of payload so that they can transmit their loaded drugs to the tumor. We aimed to enhance immune cell stimulation by a small molecule inhibitor of PD-1/PD-L1 (BMS202) using nanodiamonds (ND). Melanoma cells with different disease stages were exposed to bare NDs, BMS202-NDs or BMS202 alone for 6 h. Following this, melanoma cells were co-cultured with freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). The effects of this treatment combination on melanoma cells were examined on several biological parameters including cell viability, cell membrane damage, lysosomal mass/pH changes and expression of γHA2X, and caspase 3. Exposing melanoma cells to BMS202-NDs led to a stronger than normal interaction between the hPBMCs and the melanoma cells, with significant anti-proliferative effects. We therefore conclude that melanoma therapy has the potential to be enhanced by non-classical T-cell Immune responses via immune checkpoint inhibitors delivered by nanodiamonds-based nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandar Alharbi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Hail, 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Husam Qanash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Hail, 55476, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Naif K Binsaleh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Hail, 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salem Alharthi
- Department of Biological Science, College of Arts and Science, Najran University, Najran, 55461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulbaset M Elasbali
- Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Sakaka, 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chandranil H Gharekhan
- Amrita Center for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Cochin, India
| | | | - Emmanouil Lioudakis
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Derek G Doherty
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bashir M Mohamed
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Steven G Gray
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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4
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Khadiya NM, Modhavadiya VA. CuAAC-Ensembled 1,2,3-Triazole-Linked Biphenyl and N-Arylamide Systems as Diverse Antimicrobial Agents. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s107042802207017x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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5
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Sireesha R, Tej MB, Poojith N, Sreenivasulu R, Musuluri M, Subbarao M. Synthesis of Substituted Aryl Incorporated Oxazolo[4,5-b]Pyridine-Triazole Derivatives: Anticancer Evaluation and Molecular Docking Studies. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2021.2021256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reddymasu Sireesha
- Department of Chemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Mandava Bhuvan Tej
- Department of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - Reddymasu Sreenivasulu
- Department of Chemistry, University College of Engineering (Autonomous), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Murali Musuluri
- Department of Chemistry, RVR & JC College of Engineering, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Mannam Subbarao
- Department of Chemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
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6
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Russomanno P, Assoni G, Amato J, D'Amore VM, Scaglia R, Brancaccio D, Pedrini M, Polcaro G, La Pietra V, Orlando P, Falzoni M, Cerofolini L, Giuntini S, Fragai M, Pagano B, Donati G, Novellino E, Quintavalle C, Condorelli G, Sabbatino F, Seneci P, Arosio D, Pepe S, Marinelli L. Interfering with the Tumor-Immune Interface: Making Way for Triazine-Based Small Molecules as Novel PD-L1 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16020-16045. [PMID: 34670084 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis by monoclonal antibodies has achieved remarkable success in treating a growing number of cancers. However, a novel class of small organic molecules, with BMS-202 (1) as the lead, is emerging as direct PD-L1 inhibitors. Herein, we report a series of 2,4,6-tri- and 2,4-disubstituted 1,3,5-triazines, which were synthesized and assayed for their PD-L1 binding by NMR and homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence. Among them, compound 10 demonstrated to strongly bind with the PD-L1 protein and challenged it in a co-culture of PD-L1 expressing cancer cells (PC9 and HCC827 cells) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells enhanced antitumor immune activity of the latter. Compound 10 significantly increased interferon γ release and apoptotic induction of cancer cells, with low cytotoxicity in healthy cells when compared to 1, thus paving the way for subsequent preclinical optimization and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Russomanno
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Giulia Assoni
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, (CIBIO), Università degli Studi di Trento, Via Sommarive 9, Povo I-38123, Trento, Italy.,Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Riccardo Scaglia
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Martina Pedrini
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Giovanna Polcaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Paolo Orlando
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Marianna Falzoni
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuntini
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Greta Donati
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Daniela Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
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7
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OuYang Y, Gao J, Zhao L, Lu J, Zhong H, Tang H, Jin S, Yue L, Li Y, Guo W, Xu Q, Lai Y. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of o-(Biphenyl-3-ylmethoxy)nitrophenyl Derivatives as PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors with Potent Anticancer Efficacy In Vivo. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7646-7666. [PMID: 34037385 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Two series of novel o-(biphenyl-3-ylmethoxy)nitrophenyl compounds (A1-31 and B1-17) were designed as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. All compounds showed significant inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 2.7 to 87.4 nM except compound A17, and compound B2 displayed the best activity. Further experiments showed that B2 bound to the PD-L1 protein without obvious toxicity in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Furthermore, B2 significantly promoted interferon-gamma secretion in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Especially, B2 exhibited potent in vivo anticancer efficacy in an LLC-bearing allograft mouse model at a low dose of 5 mg/kg, which was more active than BMS-1018 (tumor growth inhibition rate: 48.5% vs 17.8%). A panel of immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry assays demonstrated that B2 effectively counteracted PD-1-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, thereby triggering antitumor immunity. These results indicate that B2 is a promising PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor worthy of further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiang OuYang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Jian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Junfeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Haiqing Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Hua Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Shuanglong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Lu Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Yuezhen Li
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China
| | - Wenjie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Yisheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
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