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Bennett GM, Starczewski J, dela Cerna MVC. In silico identification of putative druggable pockets in PRL3, a significant oncology target. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 39:101767. [PMID: 39050014 PMCID: PMC11267023 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) have emerged as targets in diseases characterized by aberrant phosphorylations such as cancers. The activity of the phosphatase of regenerating liver 3, PRL3, has been linked to several oncogenic and metastatic pathways, particularly in breast, ovarian, colorectal, and blood cancers. Development of small molecules that directly target PRL3, however, has been challenging. This is partly due to the lack of structural information on how PRL3 interacts with its inhibitors. Here, computational methods are used to bridge this gap by evaluating the druggability of PRL3. In particular, web-based pocket prediction tools, DoGSite3 and FTMap, were used to identify binding pockets using structures of PRL3 currently available in the Protein Data Bank. Druggability assessment by molecular dynamics simulations with probes was also performed to validate these results and to predict the strength of binding in the identified pockets. While several druggable pockets were identified, those in the closed conformation show more promise given their volume and depth. These two pockets flank the active site loops and roughly correspond to pockets predicted by molecular docking in previous papers. Notably, druggability simulations predict the possibility of low nanomolar affinity inhibitors in these sites implying the potential to identify highly potent small molecule inhibitors for PRL3. Putative pockets identified here can be leveraged for high-throughput virtual screening to further accelerate the drug discovery against PRL3 and development of PRL3-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M. Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA, 31419, USA
| | - Julia Starczewski
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA, 31419, USA
| | - Mark Vincent C. dela Cerna
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA, 31419, USA
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2
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Al-Hamaly MA, Cox AH, Haney MG, Zhang W, Arvin EC, Sampathi S, Wimsett M, Liu C, Blackburn JS. Zebrafish drug screening identifies Erlotinib as an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and self-renewal in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116013. [PMID: 38104416 PMCID: PMC10833092 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway's significance in cancer initiation, progression, and stem cell biology underscores its therapeutic potential. However, the clinical application of Wnt inhibitors remains limited due to challenges posed by off-target effects and complex cross-talk of Wnt signaling with other pathways. In this study, we leveraged a zebrafish model to perform a robust and rapid drug screening of 773 FDA-approved compounds to identify Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with minimal toxicity. Utilizing zebrafish expressing a Wnt reporter, we identified several drugs that suppressed Wnt signaling without compromising zebrafish development. The efficacy of the top hit, Erlotinib, extended to human cells, where it blocked Wnt/β-catenin signaling downstream of the destruction complex. Notably, Erlotinib treatment reduced self-renewal in human T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia cells, which rely on active β-catenin signaling for maintenance of leukemia-initiating cells. Erlotinib also reduced leukemia-initiating cell frequency and delayed disease formation in zebrafish models. This study underscores zebrafish's translational potential in drug discovery and repurposing and highlights a new use for Erlotinib as a Wnt inhibitor for cancers driven by aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majd A Al-Hamaly
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States; Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Anna H Cox
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Meghan G Haney
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Emma C Arvin
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Shilpa Sampathi
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Mary Wimsett
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Chunming Liu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Jessica S Blackburn
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States.
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3
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Loh AHP, Thura M, Gupta A, Tan SH, Kuan KKY, Ang KH, Merchant K, Chang KTE, Yon HY, Chen Y, Cheng MHW, Mahadev A, Ng MCH, Seng MSF, Iyer P, Chia PL, Soh SY, Zeng Q. Exploiting frequent and specific expression of PRL3 in pediatric solid tumors for first-in-child use of PRL3-zumab humanized antibody. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:153-166. [PMID: 37674627 PMCID: PMC10477756 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.08.006] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL3) is a specific tumor antigen overexpressed in a broad range of adult cancer types. However, its physiological expression in pediatric embryonal and mesenchymal tumors and its association with clinical outcomes in children is unknown. We sought to profile the expression of PRL3 in pediatric tumors in relation to survival outcomes, expression of angiogenesis markers, and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling targets. PRL3-zumab, a first-in-class humanized antibody, was administered in a dose escalation schedule in a first-in-child clinical trial to study toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes. Among 64 pediatric tumors, PRL3 was most frequently expressed in neuroblastoma (100%), rhabdomyosarcoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (71%), and renal sarcomas (60%) but absent in paired normal tissues. PRL3 was expressed in 75% of relapsed tumors and associated with shorter median event-free survival. Microarray profiling of PRL3-positive tumors showed elevation of angiogenin, TIMP1 and TIMP2, and GPCR-MAPK signaling proteins that commonly interacted with PRL3. The first use of PRL3-zumab in a pediatric patient saw no adverse events. A 28.6% reduction in maximum target lesion diameter was achieved when PRL3-zumab was administered concurrently with hypofractionated radiation. These findings support wider exploration of PRL3 expression in embryonal and mesenchymal tumors and further clinical application of PRL3-zumab in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Hong Pheng Loh
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Min Thura
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Abhishek Gupta
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Sheng Hui Tan
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Kelvin Kam Yew Kuan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Koon Hwee Ang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Khurshid Merchant
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Tou En Chang
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Hui Yi Yon
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Yong Chen
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Mathew Hern Wang Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Arjandas Mahadev
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Matthew Chau Hsien Ng
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of GI Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Michaela Su-Fern Seng
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Subspecialties Haematology/Oncology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Prasad Iyer
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Subspecialties Haematology/Oncology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Pei Ling Chia
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Shui Yen Soh
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, Children’s Blood and Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS School of Medicine, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Subspecialties Haematology/Oncology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Qi Zeng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
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Al-Hamaly MA, Cox AH, Haney MG, Zhang W, Arvin EC, Sampathi S, Wimsett M, Liu C, Blackburn JS. Zebrafish Drug Screening Identifies Erlotinib as an Inhibitor of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Self-Renewal in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.28.555200. [PMID: 37693603 PMCID: PMC10491167 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.28.555200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway's significance in cancer initiation, progression, and stem cell biology underscores its therapeutic potential, yet clinical application of Wnt inhibitors remains limited due to challenges posed by off-target effects and complex crosstalk with other pathways. In this study, we leveraged the zebrafish model to perform a robust and rapid drug screening of 773 FDA-approved compounds to identify Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with minimal toxicity. Utilizing zebrafish expressing a Wnt reporter, we identified several drugs that suppressed Wnt signaling without compromising zebrafish development. The efficacy of the top hit, Erlotinib, extended to human cells, where it blocked Wnt/β-catenin signaling downstream of the destruction complex. Notably, Erlotinib treatment reduced self-renewal in human T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia cells, which are known to rely on active β-catenin signaling for maintenance of leukemia-initiating cells. Erlotinib also reduced leukemia-initiating cell frequency and delayed disease formation in zebrafish models. This study underscores zebrafish's translational potential in drug discovery and repurposing, and highlights a new use for Erlotinib as a Wnt inhibitor for cancers driven by aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Highlights Zebrafish-based drug screening offers an inexpensive and robust platform for identifying compounds with high efficacy and low toxicity in vivo . Erlotinib, an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, emerged as a potent and promising Wnt inhibitor with effects in both zebrafish and human cell-based Wnt reporter assays.The identification of Erlotinib as a Wnt inhibitor underscores the value of repurposed drugs in developing targeted therapies to disrupt cancer stemness and improve clinical outcomes.
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5
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Jolly J, Cheatham TC, Blackburn JS. Phosphatase and Pseudo-Phosphatase Functions of Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL-3) Are Insensitive to Divalent Metals In Vitro. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:30578-30589. [PMID: 37636930 PMCID: PMC10448674 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL-3) is associated with cancer metastasis and has been shown to interact with the cyclin and CBS domain divalent metal cation transport mediator (CNNM) family of proteins to regulate the intracellular concentration of magnesium and other divalent metals. Despite PRL-3's importance in cancer, factors that regulate PRL-3's phosphatase activity and its interactions with CNNM proteins remain unknown. Here, we show that divalent metal ions, including magnesium, calcium, and manganese, have no impact on PRL-3's structure, stability, phosphatase activity, or CNNM binding capacity, indicating that PRL-3 does not act as a metal sensor, despite its interaction with CNNM metal transporters. In vitro approaches found that PRL-3 is a broad but not indiscriminate phosphatase, with activity toward di- and tri-nucleotides, phosphoinositols, and NADPH but not other common metabolites. Although calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc-binding sites were predicted near the PRL-3 active site, these divalent metals did not specifically alter PRL-3's phosphatase activity toward a generic substrate, its transition from an inactive phospho-cysteine intermediate state, or its direct binding with the CBS domain of CNNM. PRL-3's insensitivity to metal cations negates the possibility of its role as an intracellular metal content sensor for regulating CNNM activity. Further investigation is warranted to define the regulatory mechanisms governing PRL-3's phosphatase activity and CNNM interactions, as these findings could hold potential therapeutic implications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery
T. Jolly
- Department
of Cellular & Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
- Markey
Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Ty C. Cheatham
- Department
of Cellular & Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
- Markey
Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Jessica S. Blackburn
- Department
of Cellular & Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
- Markey
Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
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6
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Chia PL, Ang KH, Thura M, Zeng Q. PRL3 as a therapeutic target for novel cancer immunotherapy in multiple cancer types. Theranostics 2023; 13:1876-1891. [PMID: 37064866 PMCID: PMC10091880 DOI: 10.7150/thno.79265] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver-3 (PRL3) was discovered in 1998 and was subsequently found to be correlated with cancer progression and metastasis in 2001. Extensive research in the past two decades has produced significant findings on PRL3-mediated cancer signaling and functions, as well as its clinical relevance in diverse types of cancer. PRL3 has been established to play a role in many cancer-related functions, including but not limited to metastasis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Importantly, the tumor-specific expression of PRL3 protein in multiple cancer types has made it an attractive therapeutic target. Much effort has been made in developing PRL3-targeted therapy with small chemical inhibitors against intracellular PRL3, and notably, the development of PRL3-zumab as a novel cancer immunotherapy against PRL3. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of PRL3 in cancer-related cellular functions, its prognostic value, as well as perspectives on PRL3 as a target for unconventional immunotherapy in the clinic with PRL3-zumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Ling Chia
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138673; ; ;
| | - Koon Hwee Ang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138673; ; ;
| | - Min Thura
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138673; ; ;
| | - Qi Zeng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138673; ; ;
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7
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Tramontano C, Martins JP, De Stefano L, Kemell M, Correia A, Terracciano M, Borbone N, Rea I, Santos HA. Microfluidic-Assisted Production of Gastro-Resistant Active-Targeted Diatomite Nanoparticles for the Local Release of Galunisertib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Cells. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202672. [PMID: 36459471 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202672] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The oral route is highly desirable for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment because it allows concentrating the drug in the colon and achieving a localized effect. However, orally administered drugs are often metabolized in the liver, resulting in reduced efficacy and the need for higher doses. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can be engineered to prevent the diffusion of the drug in the stomach, addressing the release at the target site, and enhancing the efficacy of the delivered drug. Here, an orally administrable galunisertib delivery system is developed with gelatin-covered diatomite nanoparticles targeting the ligand 1-cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM) on metastatic cells, and further encapsulated in an enteric matrix by microfluidics. The gastro-resistant polymer protects the nanoparticles from the action of the digestive enzymes and allows for a sustained release of galunisertib at the intestinal pH. The efficacy of antibody-antigen interactions to drive the internalization of nanoparticles in the targeted cells is investigated in CRC cells expressing abnormal (SW620) or basal levels (Caco-2, HT29-MTX) of L1-CAM. The combination of local drug release and active targeting enhances the effect of the delivered galunisertib, which inhibits the migration of the SW620 cells with greater efficiency compared to the free drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tramontano
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Unit of Naples, National Research Council, Naples, 80131, Italy.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - João Pedro Martins
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Luca De Stefano
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Unit of Naples, National Research Council, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Marianna Kemell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Alexandra Correia
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Monica Terracciano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Ilaria Rea
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Unit of Naples, National Research Council, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands.,W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
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