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Wilson JJ, Bennie L, Eguaogie O, Elkashif A, Conlon PF, Jena L, McErlean E, Buckley N, Englert K, Dunne NJ, Tucker JHR, Vyle JS, McCarthy HO. Synthesis and characterisation of a nucleotide based pro-drug formulated with a peptide into a nano-chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. J Control Release 2024; 369:63-74. [PMID: 38513729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.036] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies in colorectal cancer patients (CRC) have shown that increased resistance to thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitors such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), reduce the efficacy of standard of care (SoC) treatment regimens. The nucleotide pool cleanser dUTPase is highly expressed in CRC and is an attractive target for potentiating anticancer activity of chemotherapy. The purpose of the current work was to investigate the activity of P1, P4-di(2',5'-dideoxy-5'-selenouridinyl)-tetraphosphate (P4-SedU2), a selenium-modified symmetrically capped dinucleoside with prodrug capabilities that is specifically activated by dUTPase. Using mechanochemistry, P4-SedU2 and the corresponding selenothymidine analogue P4-SeT2 were prepared with a yield of 19% and 30% respectively. The phosphate functionality facilitated complexation with the amphipathic cell-penetrating peptide RALA to produce nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs were designed to deliver P4-SedU2 intracellularly and thereby maximise in vivo activity. The NPs demonstrated effective anti-cancer activity and selectivity in the HCT116 CRC cell line, a cell line that overexpresses dUTPase; compared to HT29 CRC cells and NCTC-929 fibroblast cells which have reduced levels of dUTPase expression. In vivo studies in BALB/c SCID mice revealed no significant toxicity with respect to weight or organ histology. Pharmacokinetic analysis of blood serum showed that RALA facilitates effective delivery and rapid internalisation into surrounding tissues with NPs eliciting lower plasma Cmax than the equivalent injection of free P4-SedU2, translating the in vitro findings. Tumour growth delay studies have demonstrated significant inhibition of growth dynamics with the tumour doubling time extended by >2weeks. These studies demonstrate the functionality and action of a new pro-drug nucleotide for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J Wilson
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Lindsey Bennie
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK
| | - Olga Eguaogie
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Ahmed Elkashif
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK
| | - Patrick F Conlon
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Lynn Jena
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK
| | - Emma McErlean
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK
| | - Niamh Buckley
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK
| | - Klaudia Englert
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Nicholas J Dunne
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Centre for Medical Engineering Research, Dublin City University, Ireland
| | - James H R Tucker
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Joseph S Vyle
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biological Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7LB, UK; School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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Baert L, Rudy S, Pellisson M, Doll T, Rocchetti R, Kaiser M, Mäser P, Müller M. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human macrophages as an infection model for Leishmania donovani. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011559. [PMID: 38166146 PMCID: PMC10786377 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The parasite Leishmania donovani is one of the species causing visceral leishmaniasis in humans, a deadly infection claiming up to 40,000 lives each year. The current drugs for leishmaniasis treatment have severe drawbacks and there is an urgent need to find new anti-leishmanial compounds. However, the search for drug candidates is complicated by the intracellular lifestyle of Leishmania. Here, we investigate the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)-derived macrophages (iMACs) as host cells for L. donovani. iMACs obtained through embryoid body differentiation were infected with L. donovani promastigotes, and high-content imaging techniques were used to optimize the iMACs seeding density and multiplicity of infection, allowing us to reach infection rates up to 70% five days after infection. IC50 values obtained for miltefosine and amphotericin B using the infected iMACs or mouse peritoneal macrophages as host cells were comparable and in agreement with the literature, showing the potential of iMACs as an infection model for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lore Baert
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serena Rudy
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Pellisson
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Doll
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Romina Rocchetti
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Müller
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
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iPSC-Derived Macrophages: The Differentiation Protocol Affects Cell Immune Characteristics and Differentiation Trajectories. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416087. [PMID: 36555728 PMCID: PMC9781144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of human macrophages from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMacs) is a rapidly developing approach used to create disease models, screen drugs, study macrophage-pathogen interactions and develop macrophage-based cell therapy. To generate iMacs, different types of protocols have been suggested, all thought to result in the generation of similar iMac populations. However, direct comparison of iMacs generated using different protocols has not been performed. We have compared the productivity, the differentiation trajectories and the characteristics of iMacs generated using two widely used protocols: one based on the formation of embryoid bodies and the induction of myeloid differentiation by only two cytokines, interleukin-3 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and the other utilizing multiple exogenous factors for iMac generation. We report inter-protocol differences in the following: (i) protocol productivity; (ii) dynamic changes in the expression of genes related to inflammation and lipid homeostasis following iMac differentiation and (iii) the transcriptomic profiles of terminally differentiated iMacs, including the expression of genes involved in inflammatory response, antigen presentation and lipid homeostasis. The results document the dependence of fine iMac characteristics on the type of differentiation protocol, which is important for further development of the field, including the development of iMac-based cell therapy.
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Lyadova I, Vasiliev A. Macrophages derived from pluripotent stem cells: prospective applications and research gaps. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:96. [PMID: 35725499 PMCID: PMC9207879 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00824-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a valuable cell source able to give rise to different cell types of the body. Among the various pathways of iPSC differentiation, the differentiation into macrophages is a recently developed and rapidly growing technique. Macrophages play a key role in the control of host homeostasis. Their dysfunction underlies many diseases, including hereditary, infectious, oncological, metabolic and other disorders. Targeting macrophage activity and developing macrophage-based cell therapy represent promising tools for the treatment of many pathological conditions. Macrophages generated from human iPSCs (iMphs) provide great opportunities in these areas. The generation of iMphs is based on a step-wise differentiation of iPSCs into mesoderm, hematopoietic progenitors, myeloid monocyte-like cells and macrophages. The technique allows to obtain standardizable populations of human macrophages from any individual, scale up macrophage production and introduce genetic modifications, which gives significant advantages over the standard source of human macrophages, monocyte-derived macrophages. The spectrum of iMph applications is rapidly growing. iMphs have been successfully used to model hereditary diseases and macrophage-pathogen interactions, as well as to test drugs. iMph use for cell therapy is another promising and rapidly developing area of research. The principles and the details of iMph generation have recently been reviewed. This review systemizes current and prospective iMph applications and discusses the problem of iMph safety and other issues that need to be explored before iMphs become clinically applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Lyadova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of RAS, Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Andrei Vasiliev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of RAS, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Mazire P, Agarwal V, Roy A. Road-map of pre-clinical treatment for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Drug Dev Res 2021; 83:317-327. [PMID: 34962315 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar, is the most lethal form of leishmaniasis, is still prevalent in many countries where it is endemic. It is a threat to human life caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. The severity of the disease is further increased as the treated individuals might have a chance of developing Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the long run. Moreover, several countries have reported high number of HIV-VL co-infected patients. Therefore, there is a dire need for the development of efficient diagnostic methods and drugs in order to combat the disease and to control the spread of disease. At present, the treatment for VL entirely relies on therapeutic drugs as no vaccine is available yet. Ever since 1900s a series of drugs have been invented and used for treatment of VL; but the need for one such cost-effective treatment that would completely cure the disease with minimal side-effects, low relapse rate with high efficacy and less toxicity remains yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, identifying novel compounds is very crucial to develop potent antileishmanial agents. Thus, this review enlists several instances of drug development, including the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antileishmanial drugs, different experimental animal models used to investigate the disease progression and to analyze treatment dosage and pharmacological aspect of drugs. Furthermore, the existing gap in drug development and future measures to improve the process are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Mazire
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Vartika Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Amit Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
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Zulfiqar B, Avery VM. Assay development in leishmaniasis drug discovery: a comprehensive review. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 17:151-166. [PMID: 34818139 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2002843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cutaneous, muco-cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis occur due to an infection with the protozoan parasite Leishmania. The current therapeutic options are limited mainly due to extensive toxicity, emerging resistance and variation in efficacy based on species and strain of the Leishmania parasite. There exists a high unmet medical need to identify new chemical starting points for drug discovery to tackle the disease. AREAS COVERED The authors have highlighted the recent progress, limitations and successes achieved in assay development for leishmaniasis drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION It is true that sophisticated and robust phenotypic in vitro assays have been developed during the last decade, however limitations and challenges remain with respect to variation in activity reported between different research groups and success in translating in vitro outcomes in vivo. The variability is not only due to strain and species differences but also a lack of well-defined criteria and assay conditions, e.g. culture media, host cell type, assay formats, parasite form used, multiplicity of infection and incubation periods. Thus, there is an urgent need for more physiologically relevant assays that encompass multi-species phenotypic approaches to identify new chemical starting points for leishmaniasis drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Zulfiqar
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.,Discovery Biology, Griffith University Drug Discovery Programme for Cancer Therapeutics, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
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Profiro de Oliveira JH, Arruda IES, Izak Ribeiro de Araújo J, Chaves LL, de La Rocca Soares MF, Soares-Sobrinho JL. Why do few drug delivery systems to combat neglected tropical diseases reach the market? An analysis from the technology's stages. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 32:89-114. [PMID: 34424127 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1970746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many drugs used to combat schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis (SCL) have clinical limitations such as: high toxicity to the liver, kidneys and spleen; reproductive, gastrointestinal, and heart disorders; teratogenicity. In this sense, drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been described in the literature as a viable option for overcoming the limitations of these drugs. An analysis of the level of development (TRL) of patents can help in determine the steps that must be taken for promising technologies to reach the market. AREAS COVERED This study aimed to analyze the stage of development of DDSs for the treatment of SCL described in patents. In addition, we try to understand the main reasons why many DDSs do not reach the market. In this study, we examined DDSs for drugs indicated by WHO and treatment of SCL, by performing a search for patents. EXPERT OPINION In this present work we provide arguments that support the hypothesis that there is a lack of integration between academia and industry to finance and continue research, especially the development of clinical studies. We cite the translational research consortia as the potential alternative for developing DDSs to combat NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luise Lopes Chaves
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Recife-Pernambuco
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Lyadova I, Gerasimova T, Nenasheva T. Macrophages Derived From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: The Diversity of Protocols, Future Prospects, and Outstanding Questions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:640703. [PMID: 34150747 PMCID: PMC8207294 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages (Mφ) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMphs) represent a novel and promising model for studying human Mφ function and differentiation and developing new therapeutic strategies based on or oriented at Mφs. iMphs have several advantages over the traditionally used human Mφ models, such as immortalized cell lines and monocyte-derived Mφs. The advantages include the possibility of obtaining genetically identical and editable cells in a potentially scalable way. Various applications of iMphs are being developed, and their number is rapidly growing. However, the protocols of iMph differentiation that are currently used vary substantially, which may lead to differences in iMph differentiation trajectories and properties. Standardization of the protocols and identification of minimum required conditions that would allow obtaining iMphs in a large-scale, inexpensive, and clinically suitable mode are needed for future iMph applications. As a first step in this direction, the current review discusses the fundamental basis for the generation of human iMphs, performs a detailed analysis of the generalities and the differences between iMph differentiation protocols currently employed, and discusses the prospects of iMph applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Lyadova
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Basis of Histogenesis, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Gerasimova
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Basis of Histogenesis, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Nenasheva
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Basis of Histogenesis, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Pance A. The Stem Cell Revolution Revealing Protozoan Parasites' Secrets and Paving the Way towards Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:105. [PMID: 33572549 PMCID: PMC7911700 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan infections are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in humans and some of the most important neglected diseases in the world. Despite relentless efforts devoted to vaccine and drug development, adequate tools to treat and prevent most of these diseases are still lacking. One of the greatest hurdles is the lack of understanding of host-parasite interactions. This gap in our knowledge comes from the fact that these parasites have complex life cycles, during which they infect a variety of specific cell types that are difficult to access or model in vitro. Even in those cases when host cells are readily available, these are generally terminally differentiated and difficult or impossible to manipulate genetically, which prevents assessing the role of human factors in these diseases. The advent of stem cell technology has opened exciting new possibilities to advance our knowledge in this field. The capacity to culture Embryonic Stem Cells, derive Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from people and the development of protocols for differentiation into an ever-increasing variety of cell types and organoids, together with advances in genome editing, represent a huge resource to finally crack the mysteries protozoan parasites hold and unveil novel targets for prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Pance
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
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Van Bocxlaer K, Croft SL. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis - challenges and opportunities. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:472-482. [PMID: 34041488 PMCID: PMC8128043 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00343c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological efficacy is obtained when adequate concentrations of a potent drug reach the target site. In cutaneous leishmaniasis, a heterogeneous disease characterised by a variety of skin manifestations from simple nodules, skin discoloration, plaques to extensive disseminated forms, the parasites are found in the dermal layers of the skin. Treatment thus involves the release of the active compound from the formulation (administered either topically or systemically), it's permeation into the skin, accumulation by the local macrophages and further transport into the phagolysosome of the macrophage. The pharmacodynamic activity of a drug against the parasite is relatively straight forward to evaluate both in vivo and in vitro. The pharmacokinetic processes taking place inside the skin are more complex to elucidate due to the multi-lamellar structure of the skin, heterogeneous distribution of drugs within the tissue, the difficulty of accessing the site of infection complicating sampling and the lack of surrogate markers reflecting the activity of a drug in the skin. This review will discuss the difficulties encountered when investigating drug distribution, PK PD relationships and efficacy in the skin with a focus on cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Van Bocxlaer
- Department of Biology, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York York YO10 5DD UK +44 (0) 19 0432 8855
| | - Simon L Croft
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London WC1E 7HT UK
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