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Iida M, Crossman BE, Kostecki KL, Glitchev CE, Kranjac CA, Crow MT, Adams JM, Liu P, Ong I, Yang DT, Kang I, Salgia R, Wheeler DL. MerTK Drives Proliferation and Metastatic Potential in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5109. [PMID: 38791148 PMCID: PMC11121248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105109] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and receptor tyrosine kinase HER2 expression. Due to the limited number of FDA-approved targeted therapies for TNBC, there is an ongoing need to understand the molecular underpinnings of TNBC for the development of novel combinatorial treatment strategies. This study evaluated the role of the MerTK receptor tyrosine kinase on proliferation and invasion/metastatic potential in TNBC. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated MerTK expression in 58% of patient-derived TNBC xenografts. The stable overexpression of MerTK in human TNBC cell lines induced an increase in proliferation rates, robust in vivo tumor growth, heightened migration/invasion potential, and enhanced lung metastases. NanoString nCounter analysis of MerTK-overexpressing SUM102 cells (SUM102-MerTK) revealed upregulation of several signaling pathways, which ultimately drive cell cycle progression, reduce apoptosis, and enhance cell survival. Proteomic profiling indicated increased endoglin (ENG) production in SUM102-MerTK clones, suggesting that MerTK creates a conducive environment for increased proliferative and metastatic activity via elevated ENG expression. To determine ENG's role in increasing proliferation and/or metastatic potential, we knocked out ENG in a SUM102-MerTK clone with CRISPR technology. Although this ENG knockout clone exhibited similar in vivo growth to the parental SUM102-MerTK clone, lung metastasis numbers were significantly decreased ~4-fold, indicating that MerTK enhances invasion and metastasis through ENG. Our data suggest that MerTK regulates a unique proliferative signature in TNBC, promoting robust tumor growth and increased metastatic potential through ENG upregulation. Targeting MerTK and ENG simultaneously may provide a novel therapeutic approach for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Bridget E. Crossman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Kourtney L. Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Christine E. Glitchev
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Carlene A. Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Madisen T. Crow
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Jillian M. Adams
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Peng Liu
- Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA; (P.L.); (I.O.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Irene Ong
- Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA; (P.L.); (I.O.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David T. Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Irene Kang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (I.K.); (R.S.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (I.K.); (R.S.)
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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Gerovska D, Fernández Moreno P, Zabala A, Araúzo-Bravo MJ. Cell-Free Genic Extrachromosomal Circular DNA Profiles of DNase Knockouts Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Relation with Common Fragile Sites. Biomedicines 2023; 12:80. [PMID: 38255187 PMCID: PMC10813657 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010080] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell-free extrachromosomal circular DNA (cf-eccDNA) has been proposed as a promising early biomarker for disease diagnosis, progression and drug response. Its established biomarker features are changes in the number and length distribution of cf-eccDNA. Another novel promising biomarker is a set of eccDNA excised from a panel of genes specific to a condition compared to a control. Deficiencies in two endonucleases that specifically target DNA, Dnase1 and Dnase1l3, are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To study the genic eccDNA profiles in the case of their deficiencies, we mapped sequenced eccDNA data from plasma, liver and buffy coat from Dnase1 and Dnase1l3 knockouts (KOs), and wild type controls in mouse. Next, we performed an eccDNA differential analysis between KO and control groups using our DifCir algorithm. We found a specific genic cf-eccDNA fingerprint of the Dnase1l3 group compared to the wild type controls involving 131 genes; 26% of them were associated with human chromosomal fragile sites (CFSs) and with a statistically significant enrichment of CFS-associated genes. We found six genes in common with the genic cf-eccDNA profile of SLE patients with DNASE1L3 deficiency, namely Rorb, Mvb12b, Osbpl10, Fto, Tnik and Arhgap10; all of them were specific and present in all human plasma samples, and none of them were associated with CFSs. A not so distinctive genic cf-eccDNA difference involving only seven genes was observed in the case of the Dnase1 group compared to the wild type. In tissue-liver and buffy coat-we did not detect the same genic eccDNA difference observed in the plasma samples. These results point to a specific role of a set of genic eccDNA in plasma from DNase KOs, as well as a relation with CFS genes, confirming the promise of the genic cf-eccDNA in studying diseases and the need for further research on the relationship between eccDNA and CFSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gerovska
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; (D.G.); (P.F.M.); (A.Z.)
| | - Patricia Fernández Moreno
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; (D.G.); (P.F.M.); (A.Z.)
| | - Aitor Zabala
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; (D.G.); (P.F.M.); (A.Z.)
| | - Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; (D.G.); (P.F.M.); (A.Z.)
- Basque Foundation for Science, IKERBASQUE, Calle María Díaz Harokoa 3, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
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He T, Sun X, Wu C, Yao L, Zhang Y, Liu S, Jiang Y, Li Y, Wang M, Xu Y. PROS1, a clinical prognostic biomarker and tumor suppressor, is associated with immune cell infiltration in breast cancer: A bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental verification. Cell Signal 2023; 112:110918. [PMID: 37827342 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110918] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PROS1 is an encoding gene that can generate protein S. This protein is a glycoprotein found in plasma that conducts physiological functions with vitamin K. However, the impact of its expression remains absent in the progression and prognosis of breast cancer (BC). METHODS In this study, we comprehensively explored the expression of PROS1 in BC and its relationship with BC patient survival, prognosis, and other clinicopathological features. We investigated how PROS1 influenced the malignant biological behavior of BC cells. A series of enrichment analyses were conducted, and the immune landscape was explored in BC affected by PROS1. We also determined correlations between PROS1 and common drug sensitivities used for BC treatments. RESULTS PROS1 had low expression in BC, which tended to result in poor survival of BC patients. Overexpressed PROS1 inhibited the migration and invasion of BC cells as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process by downregulating SNAIL. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that PROS1 was more active in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and structural constituent, ECM-receptor interaction, and other pathways with its related genes. PROS1 was also found to affect immune activity, including various immune cells infiltrating BC. BC patients with high PROS1 expression tended to have lower IC50 values of three common medications and obtained better efficacy. CONCLUSIONS PROS1 can become a promising prognostic factor and a possible therapeutic target in BC patients and suppress BC cell metastatic potential. In addition, PROS1 is a crucial factor in immune infiltration in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi He
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Xiangyu Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Chen Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Litong Yao
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yingfan Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Shiyang Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yuhan Jiang
- Program for Cancer and Cell Biology, Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, PKU International Cancer Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yixiao Li
- Program for Cancer and Cell Biology, Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, PKU International Cancer Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mozhi Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yingying Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
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Comparing the Biology of Young versus Old Age Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer through Gene and Protein Expression Analyses. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010200. [PMID: 36672708 PMCID: PMC9855392 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer developed at a young age (≤45 years) is hypothesized to have unique biology; however, findings in this field are controversial. Methods: We compared the whole transcriptomic profile of young vs. old-age breast cancer using DNA microarray. RNA was extracted from 13 fresh estrogen receptor (ER)-positive primary breast cancer tissues of untreated patients (7 = young age ≤45 years and 6 = old age ≥55 years). In silico validation for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by young-age patients was conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Next, we analyzed the protein expression encoded by two of the significantly down-regulated genes by young-age patients, Glycine N-acyltransferase-like 1 (GLYATL-1) and Ran-binding protein 3 like (RANBP3L), using immunohistochemical analysis in an independent cohort of 56 and 74 ER-positive pre-therapeutic primary breast cancer tissues, respectively. Results: 12 genes were significantly differentially expressed by young-age breast cancers (fold change >2 or <2- with FDR p-value < 0.05). TCGA data confirmed the differential expression of six genes. Protein expression analysis of GLYATL-1 and RANBP3L did not show heterogeneous expression between young and old-age breast cancer tissues. Loss of expression of GLYATL-1 was significantly (p-value 0.005) associated with positive lymph node status. Higher expression of RANBP3L was significantly associated with breast cancers with lower histopathological grades (p-value 0.038). Conclusions: At the transcriptomic level, breast cancer developed in young and old age patients seems homogenous. The variation in the transcriptomic profiles can be attributed to the other clinicopathological characteristics rather than the age of the patient.
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Ehnes DD, Alghadeer A, Hanson-Drury S, Zhao YT, Tilmes G, Mathieu J, Ruohola-Baker H. Sci-Seq of Human Fetal Salivary Tissue Introduces Human Transcriptional Paradigms and a Novel Cell Population. FRONTIERS IN DENTAL MEDICINE 2022; 3:887057. [PMID: 36540608 PMCID: PMC9762771 DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2022.887057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple pathologies and non-pathological factors can disrupt the function of the non-regenerative human salivary gland including cancer and cancer therapeutics, autoimmune diseases, infections, pharmaceutical side effects, and traumatic injury. Despite the wide range of pathologies, no therapeutic or regenerative approaches exist to address salivary gland loss, likely due to significant gaps in our understanding of salivary gland development. Moreover, identifying the tissue of origin when diagnosing salivary carcinomas requires an understanding of human fetal development. Using computational tools, we identify developmental branchpoints, a novel stem cell-like population, and key signaling pathways in the human developing salivary glands by analyzing our human fetal single-cell sequencing data. Trajectory and transcriptional analysis suggest that the earliest progenitors yield excretory duct and myoepithelial cells and a transitional population that will yield later ductal cell types. Importantly, this single-cell analysis revealed a previously undescribed population of stem cell-like cells that are derived from SD and expresses high levels of genes associated with stem cell-like function. We have observed these rare cells, not in a single niche location but dispersed within the developing duct at later developmental stages. Our studies introduce new human-specific developmental paradigms for the salivary gland and lay the groundwork for the development of translational human therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Duron Ehnes
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ammar Alghadeer
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sesha Hanson-Drury
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Yan Ting Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Gwen Tilmes
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Santonja Á, Moya-García AA, Ribelles N, Jiménez-Rodríguez B, Pajares B, Fernández-De Sousa CE, Pérez-Ruiz E, Del Monte-Millán M, Ruiz-Borrego M, de la Haba J, Sánchez-Rovira P, Romero A, González-Neira A, Lluch A, Alba E. Role of germline variants in the metastasis of breast carcinomas. Oncotarget 2022; 13:843-862. [PMID: 35782051 PMCID: PMC9245581 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28250] [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: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cancer-related deaths in breast cancer patients are associated with metastasis, a multistep, intricate process that requires the cooperation of tumour cells, tumour microenvironment and metastasis target tissues. It is accepted that metastasis does not depend on the tumour characteristics but the host’s genetic makeup. However, there has been limited success in determining the germline genetic variants that influence metastasis development, mainly because of the limitations of traditional genome-wide association studies to detect the relevant genetic polymorphisms underlying complex phenotypes. In this work, we leveraged the extreme discordant phenotypes approach and the epistasis networks to analyse the genotypes of 97 breast cancer patients. We found that the host’s genetic makeup facilitates metastases by the dysregulation of gene expression that can promote the dispersion of metastatic seeds and help establish the metastatic niche—providing a congenial soil for the metastatic seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Santonja
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Spain.,Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Aurelio A Moya-García
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departmento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Nuria Ribelles
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Bella Pajares
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Cristina E Fernández-De Sousa
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Spain.,Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - María Del Monte-Millán
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan de la Haba
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Biomedical Research Institute, Complejo Hospitalario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Atocha Romero
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna González-Neira
- Human Genotyping-CEGEN Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Lluch
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Emilio Alba
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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