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Li X, Su H, Tang W, Shu S, Zhao L, Sun J, Fan H. Targeting LEF1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition reverses lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Invest New Drugs 2024; 42:185-195. [PMID: 38372948 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-024-01426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Acquired resistance is a significant hindrance to clinical application of lenvatinib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further in-depth investigation of resistance mechanisms can help to develop additional therapeutic strategies to overcome or delay resistance. In our study, two lenvatinib-resistant (LR) HCC cell lines were established by treatment with gradient increasing concentration of lenvatinib, named Hep3B-LR and HepG2-LR. Interestingly, continuous lenvatinib treatment reinforced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and cell invasion. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) enrichment analysis of RNA-sequencing from Hep3B-LR and corresponding parental cells revealed that activation of Wnt signaling pathway was involved in this adaptive process. Active β-catenin and its downstream target lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) were significantly elevated in LR HCC cells, which promoted lenvatinib resistance through mediating EMT-related genes. Data analysis based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) databases suggests that LEF1, as a key regulator of EMT, was a novel molecular target linked to lenvatinib resistance and poor prognosis in HCC. Using a small-molecule specific inhibitor ICG001 and knocking down LEF1 showed that targeting LEF1 restored the sensitivity of LR HCC cells to lenvatinib. Our results uncover upregulation of LEF1 confers lenvatinib resistance by facilitating EMT, cell migration, and invasion of LR HCC cells, indicating that LEF1 is a novel therapeutic target for overcoming acquired lenvatinib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxiu Li
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongmeng Su
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenqing Tang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shihui Shu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luyu Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinghan Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Fan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.
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Chen L, Xiao H, Wu Y, Yan D, Shan M, Sun L, Yan X, Liu D, Li T, Zhang Y, Xiang L, Chen A, Li S, Xiang W, Ni Z, He F, Yang M, Lian J. CircPHKB decreases the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to sorafenib via miR-1234-3p/CYP2W1 axis. Genomics 2024; 116:110764. [PMID: 38113974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110764] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib is currently the first-line treatment for patients with advanced liver cancer, but its therapeutic efficacy declines significantly after a few months of treatment. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of sorafenib sensitivity in liver cancer cells. In this study, we provided initial evidence demonstrating that circPHKB, a novel circRNA markedly overexpressed in sorafenib-treated liver cancer cells, attenuated the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to sorafenib. Mechanically, circPHKB sequestered miR-1234-3p, resulting in the up-regulation of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily W member 1 (CYP2W1), thereby reducing the killing effect of sorafenib on liver cancer cells. Moreover, knockdown of circPHKB sensitized liver cancer cells to sorafenib in vivo. The findings reveal a novel circPHKB/miR-1234-3p/CYP2W1 pathway that decreases the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to sorafenib, suggesting that circPHKB and the axis may serve as promising targets to improve the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib against liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxi Chen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hanxi Xiao
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaran Wu
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongjing Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Meihua Shan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liangbo Sun
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaojing Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Xiang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - An Chen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuhui Li
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenhong Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fengtian He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Mingzhen Yang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Jiqin Lian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Foy V, McNamara MG, Valle JW, Lamarca A, Edeline J, Hubner RA. Current Evidence for Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:8665-8685. [PMID: 37754543 PMCID: PMC10529518 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30090628] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of advanced unresectable HCC (aHCC) remains a clinical challenge, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. The results of IMbrave150 and HIMALAYA have changed the treatment paradigm for HCC and established immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), either combined with anti-angiogenic therapy or dual ICI, as preferred first-line therapy for eligible patients with aHCC. Numerous other combination regimens involving ICI are under investigation with the aim of improving the tumour response and survival of patients with all stages of HCC. This review will explore the current evidence for ICI in patients with advanced HCC and discuss future directions, including the unmet clinical need for predictive biomarkers to facilitate patient selection, the effects of cirrhosis aetiology on response to ICI, and the safety of its use in patients with impaired liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Foy
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Rd., Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Mairéad G. McNamara
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Rd., Manchester M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd., Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Juan W. Valle
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Rd., Manchester M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd., Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Angela Lamarca
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Rd., Manchester M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd., Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Department of Oncology, OncoHealth Institute, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Avenida de los Reyes Catolicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julien Edeline
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Av. de la Bataille Flandres Dunkerque-CS 44229, CEDEX, 35042 Rennes, France;
| | - Richard A. Hubner
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Rd., Manchester M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd., Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Wang H, Chu F, Zhang XF, Zhang P, Li LX, Zhuang YL, Niu XF, He X, Li ZJ, Bai Y, Mao D, Liu ZW, Zhang DL, Li BA. TPX2 enhances the transcription factor activation of PXR and enhances the resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to antitumor drugs. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:64. [PMID: 36707511 PMCID: PMC9883482 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05537-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is an important regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma cellular resistance to antitumor drugs. Activation of PXR was modulated by the co-regulators. The target protein for the Xenopus plus end-directed kinesin-like protein (Xklp2) known as TPX2 that was previously considered as a tubulin regulator, also functions as the regulator of some transcription factors and pro-oncogenes in human malignances. However, the actions of TPX2 on PXR and HCC cells are still unclear. In the present study, our results demonstrate that the high expression of endogenous mRNA level of TPX2 not only correlated with the poor prognosis of advanced HCC patients who received sorafenib treatment but also with expression of PXR's downstream genes, cyp3a4 and/or mdr-1. Results from luciferase and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed that TPX2 leads to enhancement of the transcription factor activation of PXR. Protein-protein interactions between PXR and TPX2 were identified using co-immunoprecipitation. Mechanically, overexpression of TPX2 led to enhancement of PXR recruitment to its downstream gene cyp3a4's promoter region (the PXRE region) or enhancer region (the XREM region). Treatment of HCC cells with paclitaxel, a microtubule promoter, led to enhancement of the effects of TPX2, whereas vincristine, a microtubule depolymerizing agent caused a decrease in TPX2-associated effects. TPX2 was found to cause acceleration of the metabolism or clearance of sorafenib, a typical tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in HCC cells and in turn led to the resistance to sorafenib by HCC cells. By establishing novel actions of TXP2 on PXR in HCC cells, the results indicate that TPX2 could be considered a promising therapeutic target to enhance HCC cells sensitivity to antitumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Wang
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Fang Chu
- Department of Emergency, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhang
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical Academy, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Li-Xin Li
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Yun-Long Zhuang
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Niu
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xi He
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Li
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Ying Bai
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Da Mao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Division of Chemical Metrology and Analytical Science, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhen-Wen Liu
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Da-Li Zhang
- Senior Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Bo-An Li
- Clinical Laboratory, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
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Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Screening of New Thiazole Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents through VEGFR-2 Inhibition. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14091814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Z-configurated isomers are kinetically preferred molecules. Compounds with Z-configuration are contained in many natural products, biologically active compounds and as synthons for organic synthesis. Two series of new thiazole-based analogs were synthesized from appropriate starting materials hydrazinecarbothioamide derivatives (Z)-2a,b to be evaluated for their inhibitory activity towards VEGFR-2. The prepared thiazole compounds 3a-5b were screened for their cytotoxic potency against the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and their percentage inhibition against VEGFR-2. Compound 4d exhibited good VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity. A DNA flow cytometry analysis was conducted, and compound 4d demonstrated cell cycle arrest at the G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle profile and an apoptosis-inducing effect by increasing the percentage of pre-G1 phase. Compound 4d was further evaluated for its apoptosis-inducing effect by studying the effect on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and p53 activation. It was found to boost the level of p53 and reduce the level of MMP compared with the untreated control cells.
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Expression of Cellular and Extracellular TERRA, TERC and TERT in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116183. [PMID: 35682861 PMCID: PMC9181112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs are transcribed from telomeres and the telomeric repeat-containing RNAs (TERRA) are implicated in telomere homeostasis and in cancer. In this study, we aimed to assess in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) the cellular and extracellular expression of TERRA, the telomerase RNA subunit (TERC) and the telomerase catalytic subunit (TERT). We determined by qPCR the expression level of TERRA 1_2_10_13q, TERRA 15q, TERRA XpYp, TERC and of TERT mRNA in HCC tissues and in the plasma of HCC patients. Further, we profiled the same transcripts in the HCC cell lines, HA22T/VGH and SKHep1C3, and in the extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from their secretomes. We found that the expression of TERRA and TERT mRNA was significantly deregulated in HCC, being TERRA downregulated and TERT mRNA upregulated in HCC tissues vs. the peritumoral (PT) ones, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed a significant ability in discriminating HCC from PT tissue. Further, the determinations of circulating TERRA and TERC showed higher amounts of these transcripts in the plasma of HCC patients vs. controls and ROC analyses gave significant results. The expression characterization of the cultured HCC cells showed their ability to produce and secrete TERRA and TERC into the EVs; the ability to produce TERT mRNA that was not detectable in the EVs; and the ability to respond to sorafenib treatment increasing TERRA expression. Our results highlight that: (i) both cellular and extracellular expressions of TERRA and TERC are dysregulated in HCC as well as the cellular expression of TERT mRNA and (ii) the combined detection of TERRA and TERC in plasma may represent a promising approach for non-invasive diagnostic molecular indicators of HCC.
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Ek F, Blom K, Selvin T, Rudfeldt J, Andersson C, Senkowski W, Brechot C, Nygren P, Larsson R, Jarvius M, Fryknäs M. Sorafenib and nitazoxanide disrupt mitochondrial function and inhibit regrowth capacity in three-dimensional models of hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8943. [PMID: 35624293 PMCID: PMC9142582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12519-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Quiescent cancer cells in malignant tumors can withstand cell-cycle active treatment and cause cancer spread and recurrence. Three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell models have led to the identification of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as a context-dependent vulnerability. The limited treatment options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) metastatic to the liver include the multikinase inhibitors sorafenib and regorafenib. Off-target effects of sorafenib and regorafenib are related to OXPHOS inhibition; however the importance of this feature to the effect on tumor cells has not been investigated in 3D models. We began by assessing global transcriptional responses in monolayer cell cultures, then moved on to multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) and tumoroids generated from a CRC patient. Cells were treated with chemotherapeutics, kinase inhibitors, and the OXPHOS inhibitors. Cells grown in 3D cultures were sensitive to the OXPHOS inhibitor nitazoxanide, sorafenib, and regorafenib and resistant to other multikinase inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, nitazoxanide and sorafenib reduced viability, regrowth potential and inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential in an additive manner at clinically relevant concentrations. This study demonstrates that the OXPHOS inhibition caused by sorafenib and regorafenib parallels 3D activity and can be further investigated for new combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Ek
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristin Blom
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tove Selvin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jakob Rudfeldt
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claes Andersson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wojciech Senkowski
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.,Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Nygren
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rolf Larsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Jarvius
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 591, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mårten Fryknäs
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
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