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Hu M, Tang B, Dai Y, Zhao X. Unveiling the regulatory mechanism of nimotuzumab on PD-L1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients: Implications for enhanced anticancer treatment strategies. Cell Signal 2024; 121:111290. [PMID: 38977231 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111290] [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: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The overexpression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is associated with resistance to anticancer therapies and poor prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Nimotuzumab, a humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mAb, has been widely used clinically for treating several solid tumors. However, whether its anticancer effect involves a reduction in PD-L1 expression remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects and underlying mechanism of nimotuzumab on PD-L1 expression in HNSCC both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, nimotuzumab inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 upregulation at both the transcriptional and protein levels in the HNSCC cell lines. Subsequent mechanism research revealed that nimotuzumab suppressed IFN-γ-stimulated PD-L1 upregulation mainly by inhibiting phosphorylation of EGFR/MEK/ERK pathway, which was further validated by MEK and ERK inhibitors. In a HNSCC tumor-bearing model, nimotuzumab significantly decreased PD-L1 expression during tumor progression or chemotherapy, and this reduction was accompanied by increased sensitivity of the tumor to docetaxel and atezolizumab. Additionally, nimotuzumab reversed PD-L1 upregulation when combined with Taxol + Cisplatin (TP) induction chemotherapy regimens and improved the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltration in HNSCC patients. These findings provide new insights into the anticancer mechanisms of nimotuzumab in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China
| | - Borui Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China
| | - Yuyang Dai
- Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China
| | - Xiuli Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China.
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Pougoue Ketchemen J, Njotu FN, Babeker H, Ahenkorah S, Tikum AF, Nwangele E, Henning N, Cleeren F, Fonge H. Effectiveness of [ 67Cu]Cu-trastuzumab as a theranostic against HER2-positive breast cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:2070-2084. [PMID: 38376808 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06648-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the imaging and therapeutic properties (theranostic) of 67Cu-labeled anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor II (HER2) monoclonal antibody trastuzumab against HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). METHODS We conjugated trastuzumab with p-SCN-Bn-NOTA, 3p-C-NETA-NCS, or p-SCN-Bn-DOTA, and radiolabeled with [67Cu]CuCl2. Immunoconjugate internalization was evaluated in BT-474, JIMT-1 and MCF-7 BC cells. In vitro stability was studied in human serum (HS) and Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS). Flow cytometry, radioligand binding and immunoreactive fraction assays were carried out. ImmunoSPECT imaging of [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab was done in mice bearing BT-474, JIMT-1 and MCF-7 xenografts. Pharmacokinetic was studied in healthy Balb/c mice while dosimetry was done in both healthy Balb/c and in athymic nude mice bearing JIMT-1 xenograft. The therapeutic effectiveness of [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab was evaluated in mice bearing BT-474 and JIMT-1 xenografts after a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of ~ 16.8 MBq. RESULTS Pure immunoconjugates and radioimmunoconjugates (> 95%) were obtained. Internalization was HER2 density-dependent with highest internalization observed with NOTA-trastuzumab. After 5 days, in vitro stabilities were 97 ± 1.7%, 31 ± 6.2%, and 28 ± 4% in HS, and 79 ± 3.5%, 94 ± 1.2%, and 86 ± 2.3% in PBS for [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab, [67Cu]Cu-3p-C-NETA-trastuzumab and [67Cu]Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab, respectively. [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab was chosen for further evaluation. BT-474 flow cytometry showed low KD, 8.2 ± 0.2 nM for trastuzumab vs 26.5 ± 1.6 nM for NOTA-trastuzumab. There were 2.9 NOTA molecules per trastuzumab molecule. Radioligand binding assay showed a low KD of 2.1 ± 0.4 nM and immunoreactive fraction of 69.3 ± 0.9. Highest uptake of [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab was observed in JIMT-1 (33.9 ± 5.5% IA/g) and BT-474 (33.1 ± 10.6% IA/g) xenograft at 120 h post injection (p.i.). Effectiveness of the radioimmunoconjugate was also expressed as percent tumor growth inhibition (%TGI). [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab was more effective than trastuzumab against BT-474 xenografts (78% vs 54% TGI after 28 days), and JIMT-1 xenografts (90% vs 23% TGI after 19 days). Mean survival of [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab, trastuzumab and saline treated groups were > 90, 77 and 72 days for BT-474 xenografts, while that of JIMT-1 were 78, 24, and 20 days, respectively. CONCLUSION [67Cu]Cu-NOTA-trastuzumab is a promising theranostic agent against HER2-positive BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pougoue Ketchemen
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Fabrice Ngoh Njotu
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Lab. Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A2, Canada
| | - Hanan Babeker
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Lab. Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A2, Canada
| | - Stephen Ahenkorah
- NURA Research Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anjong Florence Tikum
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Nwangele
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Lab. Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A2, Canada
| | - Nikita Henning
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Frederik Cleeren
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Humphrey Fonge
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.
- Department of Medical Imaging, Royal University Hospital Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.
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Njotu FN, Ketchemen JP, Tikum AF, Babeker H, Gray BD, Pak KY, Uppalapati M, Fonge H. Efficacy of [ 67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE Theranostic Against Somatostatin Receptor Subtype-2-Positive Neuroendocrine Tumors. J Nucl Med 2024; 65:533-539. [PMID: 38485273 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.265997] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
β--emitting 177Lu-octreotate is an approved somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2)-directed peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However,177Lu-octreotate has fast pharmacokinetics, requiring up to 4 treatment doses. Moreover, 177Lu is less than ideal for theranostics because of the low branching ratio of its γ-emissions, which limits its SPECT imaging capability. Compared with 177Lu, 67Cu has better decay properties for use as a theranostic. Here, we report the preclinical evaluation of a long-lived somatostatin analog, [67Cu]Cu-DOTA-Evans blue-TATE (EB-TATE), against SSTR2-positive NETs. Methods: The in vitro cytotoxicity of [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE was investigated on 2-dimensional cells and 3-dimensional spheroids. In vivo pharmacokinetics and dosimetry were studied in healthy BALB/c mice, whereas ex vivo biodistribution, micro-SPECT/CT imaging, and therapy studies were done on athymic nude mice bearing QGP1.SSTR2 and BON1.SSTR2 xenografts. Therapeutic efficacy was compared with [177Lu]Lu-EB-TATE. Results: Projected human effective doses of [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE for male (0.066 mSv/MBq) and female (0.085 mSv/MBq) patients are tolerable. In vivo micro-SPECT/CT imaging of SSTR2-positive xenografts with [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE showed tumor-specific uptake and prolonged accumulation. Biodistribution showed tumor accumulation, with concurrent clearance from major organs over a period of 72 h. [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE was more effective (60%) at eliminating tumors that were smaller than 50 mm3 within the first 15 d of therapy than was [177Lu]Lu-EB-TATE (20%) after treatment with 2 doses of 15 MBq administered 10 d apart. Mean survival of [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE-treated groups was 90 d and more than 90 d, whereas that of [177Lu]Lu-EB-TATE was more than 90 d and 89 d against vehicle control groups (26 d and 53 d), for QGP1.SSTR2 and BON1.SSTR2 xenografts, respectively. Conclusion: [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE exhibited high SSTR2-positive NET uptake and retention, with favorable dosimetry and SPECT/CT imaging capabilities. The antitumor efficacy of [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE is comparable to that of [177Lu]Lu-EB-TATE, with [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE being slightly more effective than [177Lu]Lu-EB-TATE for complete remission of small tumors. [67Cu]Cu-EB-TATE therefore warrants clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Ngoh Njotu
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jessica Pougoue Ketchemen
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Anjong Florence Tikum
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Hanan Babeker
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Brian D Gray
- Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Koon Y Pak
- Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Maruti Uppalapati
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;
| | - Humphrey Fonge
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;
- Department of Medical Imaging, Royal University Hospital Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Tikum AF, Ketchemen JP, Doroudi A, Nambisan AK, Babeker H, Njotu FN, Fonge H. Effectiveness of 225Ac-Labeled Anti-EGFR Radioimmunoconjugate in EGFR-Positive Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene and BRAF Mutant Colorectal Cancer Models. J Nucl Med 2024:jnumed.123.266204. [PMID: 38360051 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266204] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Eighty percent of colorectal cancers (CRCs) overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutations are present in 40% of CRCs and drive de novo resistance to anti-EGFR drugs. BRAF oncogene is mutated in 7%-10% of CRCs, with even worse prognosis. We have evaluated the effectiveness of [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab in KRAS mutant and in KRAS wild-type and BRAFV600E mutant EGFR-positive CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Anti-CD20 [225Ac]Ac-macropa-rituximab was developed and used as a nonspecific radioimmunoconjugate. Methods: Anti-EGFR antibody nimotuzumab was radiolabeled with 225Ac via an 18-membered macrocyclic chelator p-SCN-macropa. The immunoconjugate was characterized using flow cytometry, radioligand binding assay, and high-performance liquid chromatography, and internalization was studied using live-cell imaging. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated in 2-dimensional monolayer EGFR-positive KRAS mutant DLD-1, SW620, and SNU-C2B; in KRAS wild-type and BRAFV600E mutant HT-29 CRC cell lines; and in 3-dimensional spheroids. Dosimetry was studied in healthy mice. The in vivo efficacy of [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab was evaluated in mice bearing DLD-1, SW620, and HT-29 xenografts after treatment with 3 doses of 13 kBq/dose administered 10 d apart. Results: In all cell lines, in vitro studies showed enhanced cytotoxicity of [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab compared with nimotuzumab and controls. The inhibitory concentration of 50% in the DLD-1 cell line was 1.8 nM for [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab versus 84.1 nM for nimotuzumab. Similarly, the inhibitory concentration of 50% was up to 79-fold lower for [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab than for nimotuzumab in KRAS mutant SNU-C2B and SW620 and in KRAS wild-type and BRAFV600E mutant HT-29 CRC cell lines. A similar trend was observed for 3-dimensional spheroids. Internalization peaked 24-48 h after incubation and depended on EGFR expression. In the [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab group, 3 of 7 mice bearing DLD-1 tumors had complete remission. Median survival was 40 and 34 d for mice treated with phosphate-buffered saline and [225Ac]Ac-macropa-rituximab (control), respectively, whereas it was not reached for the [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab group (>90 d). Similarly, median survival of mice bearing HT-29 xenografts was 16 and 12.5 d for those treated with [225Ac]Ac-macropa-rituximab and phosphate-buffered saline, respectively, and was not reached for those treated with [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab (>90 d). One of 7 mice bearing HT-29 xenografts and treated using [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab had complete remission. Compared with untreated mice, [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab more than doubled (16 vs. 41 d) the median survival of mice bearing SW620 xenografts. Conclusion: [225Ac]Ac-macropa-nimotuzumab is effective against KRAS mutant and BRAFV600E mutant CRC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjong Florence Tikum
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jessica P Ketchemen
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Alireza Doroudi
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Anand K Nambisan
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Hanan Babeker
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; and
| | - Fabrice Ngoh Njotu
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Humphrey Fonge
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;
- Department of Medical Imaging, Royal University Hospital Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Bormans G, Cleeren F. Radiopharmaceuticals for Cancer Imaging and Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2262. [PMID: 37765231 PMCID: PMC10537697 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear medicine has emerged as a pivotal player in cancer patient care, revolutionizing the way cancer is detected, diagnosed, monitored, and treated [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Bormans
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik Cleeren
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Ketchemen JP, Babeker H, Tikum AF, Nambisan AK, Njotu FN, Nwangele E, Fonge H. Biparatopic anti-HER2 drug radioconjugates as breast cancer theranostics. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:153-162. [PMID: 37095184 PMCID: PMC10307858 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02272-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HER2 is overexpressed in 25-30% of breast cancer. Multiple domains targeting of a receptor can have synergistic/additive therapeutic effects. METHODS Two domain-specific ADCs trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1 (domain IV) and pertuzumab-PEG6-DM1 (domain II) were developed, characterised and radiolabeled to obtain [89Zr]Zr-trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1 and [67Cu]Cu-pertuzumab-PEG6-DM1 to study their in vitro (binding assay, internalisation and cytotoxicity) and in vivo (pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and immunoPET/SPECT imaging) characteristics. RESULTS The ADCs had an average drug-to-antibody ratio of 3. Trastuzumab did not compete with [67Cu]Cu-pertuzumab-PEG6-DM1 for binding to HER2. The highest antibody internalisation was observed with the combination of ADCs in BT-474 cells compared with single antibodies or ADCs. The combination of the two ADCs had the lowest IC50 compared with treatment using the single ADCs or controls. Pharmacokinetics showed biphasic half-lives with fast distribution and slow elimination, and an AUC that was five-fold higher for [89Zr]Zr-trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1 compared with [67Cu]Cu-pertuzumab-PEG6-DM1. Tumour uptake of [89Zr]Zr-trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1 was 51.3 ± 17.3% IA/g (BT-474), and 12.9 ± 2.1% IA/g (JIMT-1) which was similarly to [67Cu]Cu-pertuzumab-PEG6-DM1. Mice pre-blocked with pertuzumab had [89Zr]Zr-trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1 tumour uptakes of 66.3 ± 33.9% IA/g (BT-474) and 25.3 ± 4.9% IA/g (JIMT-1) at 120 h p.i. CONCLUSION Using these biologics simultaneously as biparatopic theranostic agents has additive benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pougoue Ketchemen
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Hanan Babeker
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Lab. Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A2, Canada
| | - Anjong Florence Tikum
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Anand Krishnan Nambisan
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Fabrice Ngoh Njotu
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Nwangele
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Humphrey Fonge
- Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.
- Department of Medical Imaging, Royal University Hospital Saskatoon, SK, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.
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