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Zhao J, Wang Q, Tan AF, Loh CJL, Toh HC. Sex differences in cancer and immunotherapy outcomes: the role of androgen receptor. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1416941. [PMID: 38863718 PMCID: PMC11165033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1416941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Across the wide range of clinical conditions, there exists a sex imbalance where biological females are more prone to autoimmune diseases and males to some cancers. These discrepancies are the combinatory consequence of lifestyle and environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and oncogenic viruses, as well as other intrinsic biological traits including sex chromosomes and sex hormones. While the emergence of immuno-oncology (I/O) has revolutionised cancer care, the efficacy across multiple cancers may be limited because of a complex, dynamic interplay between the tumour and its microenvironment (TME). Indeed, sex and gender can also influence the varying effectiveness of I/O. Androgen receptor (AR) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and in shaping the TME. Here, we lay out the epidemiological context of sex disparity in cancer and then review the current literature on how AR signalling contributes to such observation via altered tumour development and immunology. We offer insights into AR-mediated immunosuppressive mechanisms, with the hope of translating preclinical and clinical evidence in gender oncology into improved outcomes in personalised, I/O-based cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhe Zhao
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qian Wang
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medical Oncology Cancer Hospital of China Medical University/Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | | | - Celestine Jia Ling Loh
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Wu B, Sun C, Sun X, Li X. The effect of gender on the clinical outcome of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in advanced lung cancer patients. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34849. [PMID: 37653772 PMCID: PMC10470728 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed death protein-1/ligand-1 (PD-1/L1) inhibitors have widely used in the treatment of lung cancer. Some literatures indicated that different gender might not have equal immune response, but no agreement have reached on the issue. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis that examine the effect of gender on the clinical outcome of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in advanced lung cancer patients. METHODS Related database and conferences were searched. Studies that reported the relationship between gender and the overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) of PD-1/L1 inhibitor were included. Meta-analysis was conducted to obtain pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CI. RESULTS We included 34 studies with 11,883 lung cancer patients. Meta-analysis showed that PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors significantly prolonged the OS (males: HR 0.71, 95%CI 0.66-0.77; females: HR 0.72, 95%CI 0.63-0.82) and PFS (males: HR 0.60, 95%CI 0.55-0.66; females: HR 0.72, 95%CI 0.62-0.84) versus chemotherapy. The clinical benefit (OS HR: 0.99; PFS HR: 0.83) was not statistically significant between males and females. In patients treated with cemiplimab, male patients had a better OS (0.53, 95%CI 0.42-0.66) and PFS (OS 1.51, 95%CI 0.80-2.82) compared with female patients, but the small number of female patients precludes us from drawing any firm conclusions in female subpopulations. CONCLUSION The clinical benefit of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors was not statistically significant between males and females during the treatment of lung cancer. In the future, researchers who are designing new immunotherapy studies should ensure a larger inclusion of women in trials, to avoid erroneously extending to women results that are obtained mainly in male patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wu
- Department of Oncology, Weihai Central Hospital, Weihai, China
| | - Congcong Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weihai Wendeng District People’s Hospital, Weihai, China
| | - Xiaoqin Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weihai Wendeng District Zetou Township Health Center, Weihai, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Clinical Teaching, Weihai Health School, Weihai, China
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Pizzutilo EG, Romanò R, Roazzi L, Agostara AG, Oresti S, Zeppellini A, Giannetta L, Cerea G, Signorelli D, Siena S, Sartore-Bianchi A. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and the Exposome: Host-Extrinsic Factors Determine Response, Survival, and Toxicity. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2283-2296. [PMID: 37205627 PMCID: PMC10345966 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, largely represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), has led to substantial changes in preclinical cancer research and clinical oncology practice over the past decade. However, the efficacy and toxicity profiles of ICIs remain highly variable among patients, with only a fraction achieving a significant benefit. New combination therapeutic strategies are being investigated, and the search for novel predictive biomarkers is ongoing, mainly focusing on tumor- and host-intrinsic components. Less attention has been directed to all the external, potentially modifiable factors that compose the exposome, including diet and lifestyle, infections, vaccinations, and concomitant medications, that could affect the immune system response and its activity against cancer cells. We hereby provide a review of the available clinical evidence elucidating the impact of host-extrinsic factors on ICI response and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio Gregory Pizzutilo
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Rebecca Romanò
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Roazzi
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto G. Agostara
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Oresti
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Zeppellini
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Giannetta
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Cerea
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Signorelli
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Siena
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Sartore-Bianchi
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Milan, Italy
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Zhu Y, Zhu X, Diao W, Liang Z, Gao Z, Chen X. Correlation of immune makers with HPV 16 infections and the prognosis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Clin Oral Investig 2023; 27:1423-1433. [PMID: 36884083 PMCID: PMC10102146 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-04926-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the association of immune markers with high risk human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16) infection status and to evaluate the prognostic value of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study collected 50 cases of HPV positive and HPV negative OPSCC from January 2011 to December 2015. The correlation of CD8 + tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), programmed death-1 (PD-1), and PD-L1 expression with HPV 16 infection status was analyzed via immunofluorescent staining and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups. Patients with HPV + OPSCC had better prognosis compared to HPV - patients (5-year overall survival [OS], 66% vs. 40%, P = 0.003; 5-year disease specific survival [DSS], 73% vs. 44%, P = 0.001). The expressions of immunity related makers were significantly higher in the HPV + group than the HPV - group (CD8 + TIL: P = 0.039; PD-L1: P = 0.005; PD-1: P = 0.044). Positive CD8 + TIL and PD-L1 were independent factors for better prognosis of OPSCC (DSS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with TILs of high HPV + /CD8 + expression were more likely to have better prognosis than those with TILs of low HPV + /CD8 + expression (DSS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001), TILs of high expression of HPV - /CD8 + (DSS, P = 0.010; OS, P = 0.032), and TILs of low expression of HPV - /CD8 + (DSS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). Furthermore, HPV + /PD-L1 + OPSCC patients had significant better prognosis compared to patients with HPV + /PD-L1 - (DSS, P < 0.001; OS, P = 0.004), HPV - /PD-L1 + (DSS, P = 0.010; OS, P = 0.048) and HPV - /PD-L1 - (DSS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS HPV + OPSCC had a significantly better prognosis, and PD-L1 expression was elevated in HPV + OPSCC. PD-L1 positivity might be related to the better prognosis of HPV + OPSCC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study provides a theoretical basis and baseline data for the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, Wangfujing, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, Wangfujing, China
| | - Wenwen Diao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, Wangfujing, China
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhiqiang Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, Wangfujing, China
| | - Xingming Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, Wangfujing, China.
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Wu RY, Wang BC, Wang K, Xia F, Zhang ZY, Wan JF, Zhang Z. Immunotherapy and tumor mutational burden in cancer patients with liver metastases: A meta and real word cohort analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 12:994276. [PMID: 36741738 PMCID: PMC9893030 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.994276] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The predictive effects of liver metastases for immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the relationship between tumor mutational burden (TMB) and liver metastases (LM) remain unclear. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to explore the heterogeneity of ICIs efficacy between patients with or without LM. A pan-cancer cohort of 1,661 patients who received ICIs was downloaded and analyzed to assess the association between TMB and LM. Results Of 21053 studies identified in our search, eight single-arm studies and 24 randomized controlled trials were included. Overall, 17957 patients with advanced or metastatic cancers (4805 patients (26.8%) with LM and 13151 patients (73.2%) without LM) were enrolled. The pooled objective response rate (ORR) was 8.5% (95% CI 4%-13%) in the LM group versus 21% (95% CI 16%-21%) in the non-LM group. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for death was 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.90) in the LM group treated with ICIs compared with the standard of care. In patients without LM who were treated with ICIs, the pooled HR for death was 0.78 (95% CI 0.73-0.82) compared with the standard of care. The difference in efficacy between patients with or without LM treated with ICIs was significant (p=0.04). Pan-cancer analysis revealed that the TMB-high rate was 10.8% in liver metastatic lesions versus 21.4% in other metastatic lesions (p=0.004). In addition, TMB was also significantly associated with OS as a binary cutoff (p=0.05) and was an independent prognostic variable (HR=0.98, P=0.047) as a continuous variable in patients with LM. Conclusions In patients with LM, the efficacy of immunotherapy was attenuated, but TMB-high could predict better survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Yan Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Cheng Wang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jue-Feng Wan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Zhen Zhang, ; Jue-Feng Wan,
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Zhen Zhang, ; Jue-Feng Wan,
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Comprehensive Analysis of Clinicopathological and Molecular Features to Predict Anti-PD-1-Based Therapy Efficacy in Patients with Advanced Gastric Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13010115. [PMID: 36675776 PMCID: PMC9861489 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13010115] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a specific type of gastric cancer. The clinicopathological and molecular characteristics that can be used to predict the response to anti-PD-1 therapy for these patients are still not clear. METHODS Patients with advanced SRCC who received first-line anti-PD-1-based treatment were enrolled in this study. The clinicopathological characteristics of these patients were obtained from their medical records. The molecular features of these patients were analyzed by means of a next-generation-sequencing-based panel. The predictive significance of clinicopathological and molecular features for efficacy was analyzed. RESULTS A total of 71 patients with measurable lesions were included in this study, among which 46 patients had enough tissues for next-generation sequencing. The overall objective response rate (ORR) was 46.4%. ORR was significantly higher in mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient (dMMR) patients than in MMR-proficient (pMMR) patients, in patients with lymph node metastasis only than those with other metastasis sites, and in patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0 than with a PS of 1 or 2. The progression-free survival was significantly longer in patients with dMMR, lymph node metastasis only, PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 5, and CDH1 wild type. CONCLUSIONS Several clinicopathological and molecular features are associated with anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy in SRCC, which might be used to identify patients who can benefit most from these therapies.
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Wang G, Pan C, Cao K, Zhang J, Geng H, Wu K, Wen J, Liu C. Impacts of Cigarette Smoking on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Cancer 2022; 13:413-425. [PMID: 35069891 PMCID: PMC8771511 DOI: 10.7150/jca.65400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Cigarette smoking is a carcinogenic factor for esophageal cancer and evidence also indicates its effects on tumor microenvironment in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Materials and Methods: In our study, we demonstrated nine immune infiltrating cells and markers in non-smokers and smokers of 189 non-drinking ESCC patients with multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mflHC) staining and multispectral imaging. The impacts of cigarette smoking on tumor microenvironment and patient prognosis were also analyzed. Results: Among 189 ESCC patients of non-drinker, 86 patients was current smokers, while 34 males and 59 females were non-smokers and 10 former-smokers. Among 34 male non-smokers and 83 smokers, distinct immune infiltrating cells, with increased DCs in stromal regions (P=0.033), elevated infiltration of Treg cells in intraepithelial regions (P=0.010) and reduced activate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (aCTLs) in both intraepithelial (P=0.021) and stromal regions (P=0.017), were observed in tumor specimens of smoking males, implying an immune suppressed response during cigarette smoke exposure. For smoking characters, the level of stromal tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) infiltration was correlated with smoking year after age adjusted (rs =0.352, P=0.002). Though cigarette smoking did not alter the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in epithelial cells or TAMs in tumor specimens, higher expression of PD-L1 predicted a worse survival in non-smokers but not smokers. Conclusions: Our findings indicated smoking may impair T cell-mediated immune response and supported the possible impacts of cigarette smoking in PD-L1 related research and therapy of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Cao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingbing Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Geng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kusheng Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Research Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caixia Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No.22, Xinling Road. Shantou 515041, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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