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microRNA-21 Regulates Stemness in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031275. [PMID: 35163198 PMCID: PMC8835847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer (PCa) with a low survival rate. microRNAs (miRs) are endogenous, non-coding RNAs that moderate numerous biological processes. miRs have been associated with the chemoresistance and metastasis of PDAC and the presence of a subpopulation of highly plastic "stem"-like cells within the tumor, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this study, we investigated the role of miR-21, which is highly expressed in Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2 PDAC cells in association with CSCs. Following miR-21 knockouts (KO) from both MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-1 cell lines, reversed expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CSCs markers were observed. The expression patterns of key CSC markers, including CD44, CD133, CX-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1), were changed depending on miR-21 status. miR-21 (KO) suppressed cellular invasion of Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2 cells, as well as the cellular proliferation of MiaPaCa-2 cells. Our data suggest that miR-21 is involved in the stemness of PDAC cells, may play roles in mesenchymal transition, and that miR-21 poses as a novel, functional biomarker for PDAC aggressiveness.
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De Lellis L, Veschi S, Tinari N, Mokini Z, Carradori S, Brocco D, Florio R, Grassadonia A, Cama A. Drug Repurposing, an Attractive Strategy in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: Preclinical and Clinical Updates. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3946. [PMID: 34439102 PMCID: PMC8394389 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, since patients rarely display symptoms until an advanced and unresectable stage of the disease. Current chemotherapy options are unsatisfactory and there is an urgent need for more effective and less toxic drugs to improve the dismal PC therapy. Repurposing of non-oncology drugs in PC treatment represents a very promising therapeutic option and different compounds are currently being considered as candidates for repurposing in the treatment of this tumor. In this review, we provide an update on some of the most promising FDA-approved, non-oncology, repurposed drug candidates that show prominent clinical and preclinical data in pancreatic cancer. We also focus on proposed mechanisms of action and known molecular targets that they modulate in PC. Furthermore, we provide an explorative bioinformatic analysis, which suggests that some of the PC repurposed drug candidates have additional, unexplored, oncology-relevant targets. Finally, we discuss recent developments regarding the immunomodulatory role displayed by some of these drugs, which may expand their potential application in synergy with approved anticancer immunomodulatory agents that are mostly ineffective as single agents in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura De Lellis
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Serena Veschi
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Nicola Tinari
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (N.T.); (A.G.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology—CAST, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Zhirajr Mokini
- European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) Mentorship Programme, ESAIC, 24 Rue des Comédiens, BE-1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Davide Brocco
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Rosalba Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Antonino Grassadonia
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (N.T.); (A.G.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology—CAST, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cama
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology—CAST, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Exosomes as Pleiotropic Players in Pancreatic Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9030275. [PMID: 33803470 PMCID: PMC8002012 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9030275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) incidence is rising and due to late diagnosis, combined with unsatisfactory response to current therapeutic approaches, this tumor has an extremely high mortality rate. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying pancreatic carcinogenesis is of paramount importance for rational diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Multiple lines of evidence have showed that exosomes are actively involved in intercellular communication by transferring their cargos of bioactive molecules to recipient cells within the tumor microenvironment and systemically. Intriguingly, exosomes may exert both protumor and antitumor effects, supporting or hampering processes that play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of PC, including shifts in tumor metabolism, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance. They also have a dual role in PC immunomodulation, exerting immunosuppressive or immune enhancement effects through several mechanisms. PC-derived exosomes also induce systemic metabolic alterations, leading to the onset of diabetes and weight loss. Moreover, exosomes have been described as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PC. Their potential application in PC therapy as drug carriers and therapeutic targets is under investigation. In this review, we provide an overview of the multiple roles played by exosomes in PC biology through their specific cargo biomolecules and of their potential exploitation in early diagnosis and treatment of PC.
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Thakur G, Kumar R, Kim SB, Lee SY, Lee SL, Rho GJ. Therapeutic Status and Available Strategies in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020178. [PMID: 33670230 PMCID: PMC7916947 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most severe and devastating cancer is pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the major pancreatic exocrine cancer with a poor prognosis and growing prevalence. It is the most deadly disease, with an overall five-year survival rate of 6% to 10%. According to various reports, it has been demonstrated that pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) are the main factor responsible for the tumor development, proliferation, resistance to anti-cancer drugs, and recurrence of tumors after surgery. PCSCs have encouraged new therapeutic methods to be explored that can specifically target cancer cells. Furthermore, stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are known as influential anti-cancer agents as they function through anti-inflammatory, paracrine, cytokines, and chemokine's action. The properties of MSCs, such as migration to the site of infection and host immune cell activation by its secretome, seem to control the microenvironment of the pancreatic tumor. MSCs secretome exhibits similar therapeutic advantages as a conventional cell-based therapy. Moreover, the potential for drug delivery could be enhanced by engineered MSCs to increase drug bioactivity and absorption at the tumor site. In this review, we have discussed available therapeutic strategies, treatment hurdles, and the role of different factors such as PCSCs, cysteine, GPCR, PKM2, signaling pathways, immunotherapy, and NK-based therapy in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitika Thakur
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (G.T.); (S.-B.K.); (S.-Y.L.); (S.-L.L.)
| | - Raj Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan 173 234, Himachal Pradesh, India;
| | - Saet-Byul Kim
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (G.T.); (S.-B.K.); (S.-Y.L.); (S.-L.L.)
| | - Sang-Yeob Lee
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (G.T.); (S.-B.K.); (S.-Y.L.); (S.-L.L.)
| | - Sung-Lim Lee
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (G.T.); (S.-B.K.); (S.-Y.L.); (S.-L.L.)
| | - Gyu-Jin Rho
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea; (G.T.); (S.-B.K.); (S.-Y.L.); (S.-L.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Al-Bari MAA. Co-targeting of lysosome and mitophagy in cancer stem cells with chloroquine analogues and antibiotics. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:11667-11679. [PMID: 32935427 PMCID: PMC7578893 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The catabolic autophagy eliminates cytoplasmic components and organelles via lysosomes. Non‐selective bulk autophagy and selective autophagy (mitophagy) are linked in intracellular homeostasis both normal and cancer cells. Autophagy has complex and paradoxical dual role in cancers; it can play either tumour suppressor or tumour promoter depending on the tumour type, stage, microenvironment and genetic context. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) cause tumour recurrence and promote resistant to therapy for driving poor clinical consequences. Thus, new healing strategies are urgently needed to annihilate and eradicate CSCs. As chloroquine (CQ) analogues show positive clinical outcome in several clinical trials either standalone or combination with several chemotherapies. Moreover, CQ analogues are known to eliminate CSCs via altering DNA methylation. However, several obstacles such as higher concentrations and dose‐dependent toxicity are noticeable in the treatment of cancers. As tumour cells predominantly rely on mitochondrial actions, mitochondrial targeting FDA‐approved antibiotics are reported to effectively eradicate CSCs alone or combination with chemotherapy. However, antibiotics cause metabolic glycolytic shift in cancer cells for survival and repopulation. This review will provide a sketch of the inhibiting roles of current chloroquine analogues and antibiotic combination in CSC autophagy process and discuss the possibility that pre‐clinical and clinical potential therapeutic strategy for anticancer therapy.
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Florio R, Veschi S, di Giacomo V, Pagotto S, Carradori S, Verginelli F, Cirilli R, Casulli A, Grassadonia A, Tinari N, Cataldi A, Amoroso R, Cama A, De Lellis L. The Benzimidazole-Based Anthelmintic Parbendazole: A Repurposed Drug Candidate That Synergizes with Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11122042. [PMID: 31861153 PMCID: PMC6966614 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal, chemoresistant malignancies and it is of paramount importance to find more effective therapeutic agents. Repurposing of non-anticancer drugs may expand the repertoire of effective molecules. Studies on repurposing of benzimidazole-based anthelmintics in PC and on their interaction with agents approved for PC therapy are lacking. We analyzed the effects of four Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved benzimidazoles on AsPC-1 and Capan-2 pancreatic cancer cell line viability. Notably, parbendazole was the most potent benzimidazole affecting PC cell viability, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the nanomolar range. The drug markedly inhibited proliferation, clonogenicity and migration of PC cell lines through mechanisms involving alteration of microtubule organization and formation of irregular mitotic spindles. Moreover, parbendazole interfered with cell cycle progression promoting G2/M arrest, followed by the emergence of enlarged, polyploid cells. These abnormalities, suggesting a mitotic catastrophe, culminated in PC cell apoptosis, are also associated with DNA damage in PC cell lines. Remarkably, combinations of parbendazole with gemcitabine, a drug employed as first-line treatment in PC, synergistically decreased PC cell viability. In conclusion, this is the first study providing evidence that parbendazole as a single agent, or in combination with gemcitabine, is a repurposing candidate in the currently dismal PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Serena Veschi
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Viviana di Giacomo
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Sara Pagotto
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.P.); (A.G.); (N.T.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (A.C.); Tel.: +39-0871-3554583 (S.C.); +39-0871-3554559 (A.C.)
| | - Fabio Verginelli
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberto Cirilli
- Centro nazionale per il controllo e la valutazione dei farmaci, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Adriano Casulli
- WHO Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology, Detection and Control of Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis (in Animals and Humans), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy;
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Grassadonia
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.P.); (A.G.); (N.T.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Nicola Tinari
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.P.); (A.G.); (N.T.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Amelia Cataldi
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Rosa Amoroso
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Alessandro Cama
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (A.C.); Tel.: +39-0871-3554583 (S.C.); +39-0871-3554559 (A.C.)
| | - Laura De Lellis
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (V.d.G.); (F.V.); (A.C.); (R.A.); (L.D.L.)
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Di Carlo C, Brandi J, Cecconi D. Pancreatic cancer stem cells: Perspectives on potential therapeutic approaches of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. World J Stem Cells 2018; 10:172-182. [PMID: 30631392 PMCID: PMC6325076 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v10.i11.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most aggressive solid tumours of the pancreas, characterised by a five-year survival rate less than 8%. Recent reports that pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) contribute to the tumorigenesis, progression, and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer have prompted the investigation of new therapeutic approaches able to directly target PCSCs. In the present paper the non-cancer related drugs that have been proposed to target CSCs that could potentially combat pancreatic cancer are reviewed and evaluated. The role of some pathways and deregulated proteins in PCSCs as new therapeutic targets are also discussed with a focus on selected specific inhibitors. Finally, advances in the development of nanoparticles for targeting PCSCs and site-specific drug delivery are highlighted, and their limitations considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Di Carlo
- Department of Biotechnology, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Jessica Brandi
- Department of Biotechnology, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy.
| | - Daniela Cecconi
- Department of Biotechnology, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
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Chan MM, Chen R, Fong D. Targeting cancer stem cells with dietary phytochemical - Repositioned drug combinations. Cancer Lett 2018; 433:53-64. [PMID: 29960048 PMCID: PMC7117025 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is complex with the cancer stem cell (CSC) as a member within its community. This population possesses the capacity to self-renew and to cause cellular heterogeneity of the tumor. CSCs are resistant to conventional anti-proliferative drugs. In order to be curative, it is imperative that CSCs must be eliminated by cancer therapy. A variety of dietary phytochemicals and repositioned drugs can act synergistically with conventional anti-cancer agents. In this review, we advocate the development of a novel approach, namely combination therapy by incorporating both phytochemicals and repositioned drugs to target CSCs. We cover select dietary phytochemicals (curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG, genistein) and repurposed drugs (metformin, niclosamide, thioridazine, chloroquine). Five of the eight (curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG, genistein, metformin) are listed in “The Halifax Project”, that explores “the concept of a low-toxicity ‘broad-spectrum’ therapeutic approach that could simultaneously target many key pathways and mechanisms” [1]. For these compounds, we discuss their mechanisms of action, in which models their anti-CSC activities were identified, as well as advantages, challenges and potentials of combination therapy. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the culprits for cancer drug resistance and cancer relapse. Dietary phytochemicals (curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate) target CSCs. Repositioned drugs (metformin, niclosamide, thioridazine) target CSCs. Phytochemical-drug combinations targeting CSCs may exhibit synergistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion M Chan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
| | - Rensa Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Dunne Fong
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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