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Kiy RT, Khoo SH, Chadwick AE. Assessing the mitochondrial safety profile of the molnupiravir active metabolite, β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), in the physiologically relevant HepaRG model. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae012. [PMID: 38328743 PMCID: PMC10848230 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background β-d-N4-Hydroxycytidine (NHC) is the active metabolite of molnupiravir, a broad-spectrum antiviral approved by the MHRA for COVID-19 treatment. NHC induces lethal mutagenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, undergoing incorporation into the viral genome and arresting viral replication. It has previously been reported that several nucleoside analogues elicit off-target inhibition of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or RNA replication. Although NHC does not exert these effects in HepG2 cells, HepaRG are proven to be advantageous over HepG2 for modelling nucleoside analogue-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the mitotoxic potential of NHC in HepaRG cells, a model more closely resembling physiological human liver. Methods Differentiated HepaRG cells were exposed to 1-60 μM NHC for 3-14 days to investigate effects of sub-, supra-, and clinically-relevant exposures (in the UK, molnupiravir for COVID-19 is indicated for 5 days and reported Cmax is 16 μM). Following drug incubation, cell viability, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial protein expression, and mitochondrial respiration were assessed. Results NHC induced minor decreases in cell viability at clinically relevant exposures, but did not decrease mitochondrial protein expression. The effects on mtDNA were variable, but typically copy number was increased. At supra-clinical concentrations (60 μM), NHC reduced mitochondrial respiration, but did not appear to induce direct electron transport chain dysfunction. Conclusions Overall, NHC does not cause direct mitochondrial toxicity in HepaRG cells at clinically relevant concentrations, but may induce minor cellular perturbations. As HepaRG cells have increased physiological relevance, these findings provide additional assurance of the mitochondrial safety profile of NHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn T Kiy
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, United Kingdom
| | - Saye H Khoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, United Kingdom
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, United Kingdom
| | - Amy E Chadwick
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, United Kingdom
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2
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Nandi S, Nayak BS, Khede MK, Saxena AK. Repurposing of Chemotherapeutics to Combat COVID-19. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:2660-2694. [PMID: 36453483 DOI: 10.2174/1568026623666221130142517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel strain of SARS coronavirus. The COVID-19 disease caused by this virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). SARS-CoV-2 mainly spreads through droplets sprayed by coughs or sneezes of the infected to a healthy person within the vicinity of 6 feet. It also spreads through asymptomatic carriers and has negative impact on the global economy, security and lives of people since 2019. Numerous lives have been lost to this viral infection; hence there is an emergency to build up a potent measure to combat SARS-CoV-2. In view of the non-availability of any drugs or vaccines at the time of its eruption, the existing antivirals, antibacterials, antimalarials, mucolytic agents and antipyretic paracetamol were used to treat the COVID-19 patients. Still there are no specific small molecule chemotherapeutics available to combat COVID-19 except for a few vaccines approved for emergency use only. Thus, the repurposing of chemotherapeutics with the potential to treat COVID-19 infected people is being used. The antiviral activity for COVID-19 and biochemical mechanisms of the repurposed drugs are being explored by the biological assay screening and structure-based in silico docking simulations. The present study describes the various US-FDA approved chemotherapeutics repositioned to combat COVID-19 along with their screening for biological activity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisir Nandi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Affiliated to Uttarakhand Technical University, Kashipur, 244713, India
| | - Bhabani Shankar Nayak
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy and Technology, Salipur, Affiliated to Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha, 754202, India
| | - Mayank Kumar Khede
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy and Technology, Salipur, Affiliated to Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha, 754202, India
| | - Anil Kumar Saxena
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Affiliated to Uttarakhand Technical University, Kashipur, 244713, India
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Saadeh K, Nantha Kumar N, Fazmin IT, Edling CE, Jeevaratnam K. Anti-malarial drugs: Mechanisms underlying their proarrhythmic effects. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:5237-5258. [PMID: 36165125 PMCID: PMC9828855 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains the leading cause of parasitic death in the world. Artemisinin resistance is an emerging threat indicating an imminent need for novel combination therapy. Given the key role of mass drug administration, it is pivotal that the safety of anti-malarial drugs is investigated thoroughly prior to widespread use. Cardiotoxicity, most prominently arrhythmic risk, has been a concern for anti-malarial drugs. We clarify the likely underlying mechanisms by which anti-malarial drugs predispose to arrhythmias. These relate to disruption of (1) action potential upstroke due to effects on the sodium currents, (2) action potential repolarisation due to effects on the potassium currents, (3) cellular calcium homeostasis, (4) mitochondrial function and reactive oxygen species production and (5) cardiac fibrosis. Together, these alterations promote arrhythmic triggers and substrates. Understanding these mechanisms is essential to assess the safety of these drugs, stratify patients based on arrhythmic risk and guide future anti-malarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Saadeh
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordUK,School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's HospitalUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | - Ibrahim Talal Fazmin
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordUK,School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's HospitalUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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4
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Das S. Editorial: Medication Safety in COVID-19 Management. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:940307. [PMID: 35880232 PMCID: PMC9307660 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.940307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
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5
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Olivier C, Ganache I, Demers-Payette O, Lochhead L, Pelaez S, de Guise M, Pomey MP. Patient and Citizen Participation in the Identification of Ethical Considerations Aiming to Address Uncertainty in the Evaluation of Promising Interventions in a Pandemic Context. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 3:794003. [PMID: 35047973 PMCID: PMC8757856 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.794003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies have been conducted to identify interventions that could contribute to alleviating the burden it has caused. The Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) has played a key role in informing the government of Québec regarding the evaluation of specific pandemic-related interventions. This process took place in a context characterized by a sense of urgency to assess and recommend potential interventions that could save lives and reduce the effects of the disease on populations and healthcare systems, which increased the pressure on the regulatory agencies leading these evaluations. While some of the interventions examined were considered promising, results from COVID-19 studies often led to uncertainty regarding their efficacy or safety. Regulatory agencies evaluating the value of promising interventions thus face challenges in deciding whether these should be made available to the population, particularly when assessing their benefit-risk balance. To shed light on these challenges, we identified underlying ethical considerations that can influence such an assessment. A rapid literature review was conducted in February 2021, to identify the main challenges associated with the benefit-risk balance assessment of promising interventions. To reinforce our understanding of the underlying ethical considerations, we initiated a discussion among various social actors involved in critical thinking surrounding the evaluation of promising interventions, including ethicists, clinicians and researchers involved in clinical or public health practice, as well as patients and citizens. This discussion allowed us to create a space for exchange and mutual understanding among these various actors who contributed equally to the identification of ethical considerations. The knowledge and perspectives stemming from the scientific literature and those consulted were integrated in a common reflection on these ethical considerations. This allowed patients and citizens, directly affected by the evaluation of pandemic-related interventions and the resulting social choices, to contribute to the identification of the relevant ethical considerations. It also allowed for reflection on the responsibilities of the various actors involved in the development, evaluation, and distribution of promising interventions in a setting of urgency and uncertainty, such as that brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Olivier
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Ganache
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Olivier Demers-Payette
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Louis Lochhead
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre d'excellence sur le partenariat avec les patients et le public, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sandra Pelaez
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
- École de kinésiologie et des sciences de l'activité physique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michèle de Guise
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pascale Pomey
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bureau - Méthodologies et éthique, Montréal, QC, Canada
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre d'excellence sur le partenariat avec les patients et le public, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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6
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Ferreira GM, Kronenberger T, Tonduru AK, Hirata RDC, Hirata MH, Poso A. SARS-COV-2 M pro conformational changes induced by covalently bound ligands. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:12347-12357. [PMID: 34516349 PMCID: PMC8442757 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1970626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2's main protease (Mpro) interaction with ligands has been explored with a myriad of crystal structures, most of the monomers. Nonetheless, Mpro is known to be active as a dimer but the relevance of the dimerization in the ligand-induced conformational changes has not been fully elucidated. We systematically simulated different Mpro-ligand complexes aiming to study their conformational changes and interactions, through molecular dynamics (MD). We focused on covalently bound ligands (N1 and N3, ∼9 μs per system both monomers and dimers) and compared these trajectories against the apostructure. Our results suggest that the monomeric simulations led to an unrealistically flexible active site. In contrast, the Mpro dimer displayed a stable oxyanion-loop conformation along the trajectory. Also, ligand interactions with residues His41, Gly143, His163, Glu166 and Gln189 are postulated to impact the ligands' inhibitory activity significantly. In dimeric simulations, especially Gly143 and His163 have increased interaction frequencies. In conclusion, long-timescale MD is a more suitable tool for exploring in silico the activity of bioactive compounds that potentially inhibit the dimeric form of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glaucio Monteiro Ferreira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oncology and Pneumonology, Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Department of Oncology and Pneumonology, Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arun Kumar Tonduru
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rosario Dominguez Crespo Hirata
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Hiroyuki Hirata
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antti Poso
- Department of Oncology and Pneumonology, Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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7
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Palit P, Mukhopadhyay A, Chattopadhyay D. Phyto-pharmacological perspective of Silymarin: A potential prophylactic or therapeutic agent for COVID-19, based on its promising immunomodulatory, anti-coagulant and anti-viral property. Phytother Res 2021; 35:4246-4257. [PMID: 33817867 PMCID: PMC8250558 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) triggered by a new viral pathogen, named severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is now a global health emergency. This debilitating viral pandemic not only paralyzed the normal daily life of the global community but also spread rapidly via global travel. To date there are no effective vaccines or specific treatments against this highly contagious virus; therefore, there is an urgent need to advocate novel prophylactic or therapeutic interventions for COVID‐19. This brief opinion critically discusses the potential of Silymarin, a flavonolignan with diverse pharmacological activity having antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, and antiviral properties, with versatile immune‐cytokine regulatory functions, that able to bind with transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and induce endogenous antiviral cytokine interferon‐stimulated gene 15, for the management of COVID‐19. Silymarin inhibits the expression of host cell surface receptor TMPRSS2 with a docking binding energy corresponding to −1,350.61 kcal/mol and a full fitness score of −8.11. The binding affinity of silymarin with an impressive virtual score exhibits significant potential to interfere with SARS‐CoV‐2 replication. We propose in‐depth pre‐clinical and clinical review studies of silymarin for the development of anti‐COVID‐19 lead, based on its clinical manifestations of COVID‐19 and multifaceted bioactivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Palit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | | | - Debprasad Chattopadhyay
- Division of Microbiology & Virology, ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.,Division of Virology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Beliaghata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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8
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Penman SL, Kiy RT, Jensen RL, Beoku‐Betts C, Alfirevic A, Back D, Khoo SH, Owen A, Pirmohamed M, Park BK, Meng X, Goldring CE, Chadwick AE. Safety perspectives on presently considered drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:4353-4374. [PMID: 32681537 PMCID: PMC7404855 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intense efforts are underway to evaluate potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19. In order to respond quickly to the crisis, the repurposing of existing drugs is the primary pharmacological strategy. Despite the urgent clinical need for these therapies, it is imperative to consider potential safety issues. This is important due to the harm-benefit ratios that may be encountered when treating COVID-19, which can depend on the stage of the disease, when therapy is administered and underlying clinical factors in individual patients. Treatments are currently being trialled for a range of scenarios from prophylaxis (where benefit must greatly exceed risk) to severe life-threatening disease (where a degree of potential risk may be tolerated if it is exceeded by the potential benefit). In this perspective, we have reviewed some of the most widely researched repurposed agents in order to identify potential safety considerations using existing information in the context of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L. Penman
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Robyn T. Kiy
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Rebecca L. Jensen
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | | | - Ana Alfirevic
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - David Back
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Saye H. Khoo
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Andrew Owen
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Munir Pirmohamed
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - B. Kevin Park
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Xiaoli Meng
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Christopher E. Goldring
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Amy E. Chadwick
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Pharmacology and TherapeuticsUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
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9
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Chen Y, Wang G, Ouyang L. Promising inhibitors targeting M pro: an ideal strategy for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:173. [PMID: 32855394 PMCID: PMC7450161 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00291-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center & Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center & Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center & Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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