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Giulia Mantovani, Fragomeni SM, Inzani F, Fagotti A, Della Corte L, Gentileschi S, Tagliaferri L, Zannoni GF, Scambia G, Garganese G. Molecular pathways in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: implications for target therapeutic strategies. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:1647-1658. [PMID: 32335720 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03226-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Additional prognostic factors and personalized therapeutic alternatives for vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC), especially for advanced stages with poor prognosis, are urgently needed. OBJECTIVES To review and assess literature regarding underlying molecular mechanisms of VSCC target therapeutic and prognostic approaches. METHODS We performed a narrative literature review from the inception of the database up to January 2020 limited to English language, organizing knowledge in five main fields: extracellular and intracellular cell cycle deregulation, tumor immune microenvironment, tumor angiogenesis and hormones. RESULTS EGFR immunohistochemical overexpression/gene amplification, representing early events in VSCC carcinogenesis, have been correlated with a worse prognosis and led to inclusion of erlotinib in cancer guidelines. p16 expression and HPV positivity are linked to a better prognosis, while p53 overexpression is linked to a worse prognosis; thus, biomarkers could help tailoring conventional treatment and follow-up. The implications of PD-L1 positivity in reference to HPV status and prognosis are still not clear, even though pembrolizumab is part of available systemic therapies. The role of tumor angiogenesis emerges through data on microvessel density, immunohistochemical VEGF staining and evaluation of serum VEGF concentrations. Few data exist on hormonal receptor expression, even though hormonal therapy showed great manageability. CONCLUSIONS We suggest adding p16, p53 and HPV status to routine hystopathological examination of vulvar biopsies or surgical specimens. Predictive biomarkers for anti-EGFR and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs are needed. Enough preclinical data supporting anti-angiogenic target therapies in clinical trials are existing. Hormonal receptor expression deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Ginecologia Oncologica e Chirurgia Pelvica Mini-Invasiva, International School of Surgical Anatomy, IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Simona Maria Fragomeni
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Frediano Inzani
- Unità di Gineco-Patologia e Patologia Mammaria, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Fagotti
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Della Corte
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Scuola di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Gentileschi
- Unità di Chirurgia Plastica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radioterapia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Radioterapiche ed Ematologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Franco Zannoni
- Unità di Gineco-Patologia e Patologia Mammaria, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Garganese
- Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.,Gynecology and Breast Care Center, Mater Olbia Hospital, Olbia, Italy
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Huisman BW, Burggraaf J, Vahrmeijer AL, Schoones JW, Rissmann RA, Sier CFM, van Poelgeest MIE. Potential targets for tumor-specific imaging of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review of candidate biomarkers. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 156:734-743. [PMID: 31928804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare malignancy with an increasing incidence, especially in young women. Surgical treatment of VSCC is associated with significant morbidity and high recurrence rates, which is related to the limited ability to distinguish (pre)malignant from healthy tissue. There is a need for new tools for specific real-time detection of occult tumor lesions and localization of cancer margins in patients with VSCC. Several tumor-specific imaging techniques are developed to recognize malignant tissue by targeting tumor markers. We present a systematic review to identify, evaluate, and summarize potential markers for tumor-specific imaging of VSCC. METHODS Relevant papers were identified by a systematic cross-database literature search developed with assistance of an experienced librarian. Data were extracted from eligible papers and reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. VSCC-specific tumor markers were valued based on a weighted scoring system, in which each biomarker was granted points based on ranked eligibility criteria: I) percentage expression, II) sample size, and III) in vivo application. RESULTS In total 627 papers were included of which 22 articles met the eligibility criteria. Twelve VSCC-specific tumor markers were identified and of these 7 biomarkers were considered most promising: EGFR, CD44v6, GLUT1, MRP1, MUC1, CXCR-4 and VEGF-A. DISCUSSION This overview identified 7 potential biomarkers that can be used in the development of VSCC-specific tracers for real-time and precise localization of tumor tissue before, during, and after treatment. These biomarkers were identified in a small number of samples, without discriminating for VSCC-specific hallmarks such as HPV-status. Before clinical development, experimental studies should first aim at validation of these biomarkers using immunohistochemistry and cell line-based examination, discriminating for HPV-status and the expression rate in lymph nodes and precursor lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- B W Huisman
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Zernikedreef 8, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - J Burggraaf
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Zernikedreef 8, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einstein weg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - A L Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - J W Schoones
- Walaeus Library, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, the Netherlands.
| | - R A Rissmann
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Zernikedreef 8, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einstein weg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - C F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - M I E van Poelgeest
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Zernikedreef 8, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
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范 艺, 唐 华, 刘 瑶, 李 成. [Establishment of a rat model of dimethylbenzanthracene-induced vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesions]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2018; 38:1318-1324. [PMID: 30514679 PMCID: PMC6744125 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2018.11.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a SD rat model of vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesions. METHODS Seventy female SD rats were randomized into 4 groups, namely the blank control group (n=10), mechanical irritation group (n=10), acetone solution group (n=10), and mechanical irritation with DMBA acetone solution group (n=40, model group), and the corresponding treatments were administered 3 times a week for 14 weeks. The changes of the vulvar skin of the rats were observed regularly until the 18th week. The expression of mutant p53 (mtp53) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, and the expressions of mtp53 and VEGF mRNA were detected with qRT- PCR in the blank control group and model group. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the morphological or histopathological changes of the skin among the blank control group, mechanical irritation group and acetone solution group. In the model group, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) occurred in 28 rats (70%) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in 11 rats (27.5%) at 14 weeks, with a success rate of 97.5% in inducing vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesions. Compared with the blank control group, the rats in the model group showed significantly increased expressions of mtp53 and VEGF at both the protein level (P < 0.05) and the mRNA level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS DMBA in acetone solution combined with mechanical irritation can induce vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesions in female SD rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- 艺巾 范
- />重庆医科大学生物医学工程学院//省部共建国家重点实验室培育基地—重庆市超声医学工程重点实验室//重 庆市生物医学工程学重点实验室//重庆市微无创医学协同创新中心,重庆 400016College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University/State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine Co-Founded by Chongqing and the Ministry of Science and Technology/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering/ Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Minimally Invasive and Noninvasive Medicine, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - 华均 唐
- />重庆医科大学生物医学工程学院//省部共建国家重点实验室培育基地—重庆市超声医学工程重点实验室//重 庆市生物医学工程学重点实验室//重庆市微无创医学协同创新中心,重庆 400016College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University/State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine Co-Founded by Chongqing and the Ministry of Science and Technology/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering/ Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Minimally Invasive and Noninvasive Medicine, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - 瑶 刘
- />重庆医科大学生物医学工程学院//省部共建国家重点实验室培育基地—重庆市超声医学工程重点实验室//重 庆市生物医学工程学重点实验室//重庆市微无创医学协同创新中心,重庆 400016College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University/State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine Co-Founded by Chongqing and the Ministry of Science and Technology/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering/ Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Minimally Invasive and Noninvasive Medicine, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - 成志 李
- />重庆医科大学生物医学工程学院//省部共建国家重点实验室培育基地—重庆市超声医学工程重点实验室//重 庆市生物医学工程学重点实验室//重庆市微无创医学协同创新中心,重庆 400016College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University/State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine Co-Founded by Chongqing and the Ministry of Science and Technology/Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering/ Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Minimally Invasive and Noninvasive Medicine, Chongqing 400016, China
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A six-microRNA signature in plasma was identified as a potential biomarker in diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:34468-34480. [PMID: 28380431 PMCID: PMC5470983 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients may serve as a diagnostic biomarker. A four-stage study was conducted to identify plasma miRNAs with potential in detecting ESCC. Exiqon panels (2 ESCC pools vs. 1 normal control (NC) pool) were applied in the screening phase to obtain miRNA profiles. The identified miRNAs were further evaluated through training (36 ESCC VS. 42 NCs) and testing stages (101 ESCC VS. 113 NCs) with qRT-PCR assays. A six-miRNA signature including up-regulated miR-106a, miR-18a, miR-20b, miR-486-5p, miR-584 and down-regulated miR-223-3p in ESCC was identified. The signature could accurately discriminate ESCC patients from NCs with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.935, 0.959 and 0.966 for the training, testing and the additional validation stage (41 ESCC VS. 50 NCs), respectively. MiR-106a and miR-584 were significantly up-regulated in tumor tissues with qRT-PCR assays. And miR-584 was also up-regulated in ESCC tissues from TCGA database. In addition, exosomal miR-223-3p and miR-584 were consistently dysregulated with those in plasma and could also act as biomarkers in diagnosis of ESCC. In conclusion, we identified a six-miRNA signature in plasma which could act as a non-invasive biomarker in detection of ESCC.
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Chinese Herbs Interfering with Cancer Reprogramming Metabolism. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:9282813. [PMID: 27242914 PMCID: PMC4875995 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9282813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence promotes a reassessment of metabolic reprogramming regulation in cancer research. Although there exists a long history of Chinese herbs applied in cancer treatment, few reports have addressed the effects of Chinese herbal components on metabolic reprogramming, which is a central cancer hallmark involved in the slowing or prevention of chemoresistance in cancer cells. In this review, we have focused on four core elements altered by metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. These include glucose transport, glycolysis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid synthesis. With this focus, we have summarized recent advances in metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells in response to specific Chinese herbal components. We propose that exploring Chinese herbal interference in cancer metabolic reprogramming might identify new therapeutic targets for cancer and more ways in which to approach metabolism-related diseases.
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Chokoeva AA, Tchernev G, Castelli E, Orlando E, Verma SB, Grebe M, Wollina U. Vulvar cancer: a review for dermatologists. Wien Med Wochenschr 2015; 165:164-77. [PMID: 25930015 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-015-0354-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Vulvar malignancies are important tumors of the female reproductive system. They represent a serious health issue with an incidence between 2 and 7 per 100,000 and year. We provide a review about most important cancer entities, i.e., melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine cancer, and skin adnexal malignancies.Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common vulvar malignancy that can develop from vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or de novo. Basal cell carcinoma represents only 2% of all vulvar cancers. Melanoma of the vulva exists in two major types-superficial spreading and acral lentiginous. A special feature is the occurrence of multiple vulvar melanomas. Of the adnexal cancer types Paget's disease and carcinoma are seen more frequently than other adnexal malignancies. The dermatologist should be aware of this problem, since he might be the first to be consulted by patients for vulvar disease. Treatment should be interdisciplinary in close association to gynecologists, oncologists, and radiologists.
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Mayer A, Schmidt M, Seeger A, Serras AF, Vaupel P, Schmidberger H. GLUT-1 expression is largely unrelated to both hypoxia and the Warburg phenotype in squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:760. [PMID: 25306097 PMCID: PMC4210616 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Strongly increased uptake of glucose is a hallmark of solid malignant tumors. This phenotype can be triggered by hypoxia-induced gene expression changes or can occur independently of hypoxia as a consequence of malignant transformation itself, and is often referred to as the Warburg effect. The glycolytic phenotype has been associated with malignant progression and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Methods We have chosen squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva (SCC-V) as a representative solid tumor entity to study the central players of this pathway, namely glucose transporter (GLUT)-1, carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX, hexokinase (HK)-2 and pyruvate kinase (PK)-M2, and have investigated their relationships to tumor microvessels (CD34, αSMA) and proliferation (Ki67). Expression of these proteins was analyzed in 38 SCC-Vs, 5 vulvar dysplasias and 10 non-neoplastic squamous epithelia of the vulva using multiparametric immunohistochemistry in registered serial sections (MIRSS). Results Expression of GLUT-1 in invasive carcinomas was predominantly located in the outer layers of the tumor cell aggregates close to the vascularized tumor stroma, and only to a lesser extent colocalized with CA IX, which was repeatedly found at larger diffusion distances away from microvessels. CA IX expression was lower in invasive carcinomas compared to dysplasias and non-neoplastic tissue and higher in recurrent vs. primary tumors. Ki67-positive proliferating cells were partially colocalized with GLUT-1. However, HK-2 and PK-2 - proteins centrally involved in the Warburg phenotype - did not show such a correlation. Conclusions Consistent with prior studies, the pattern of GLUT-1 clearly indicated that a large part of its expression is presumably unrelated to hypoxia. However, there was also no association with HK-2 and PK-M2, suggesting that the functional background of this expression is also independent of aerobic glycolysis. CA IX may be worth consideration as a marker of biological hypoxia, as should its pathophysiological consequences in SCC-V. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-760) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnulf Mayer
- Department of Radiooncology and Radiotherapy, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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Dhakal HP, Nesland JM, Førsund M, Trope CG, Holm R. Primary tumor vascularity, HIF-1α and VEGF expression in vulvar squamous cell carcinomas: their relationships with clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic impact. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:506. [PMID: 24165149 PMCID: PMC3871003 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased vascularity is a crucial event in the tumor progression and has prognostic significance in various cancers. However, the ultimate role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of vulvar carcinoma patients is still not settled. METHODS Tumor vascularity using CD34 stained slides measured by Chalkley counting method as well as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoexpression was examined in 158 vulvar squamous cell carcinomas. Associations between vascular Chalkley count, HIF-1α and VEGF expression and clinicopathological factors and clinical outcome were evaluated. RESULTS High CD34 Chalkley count was found to correlate with larger tumor diameter (P = 0.002), deep invasion (P < 0.001) and HIF-1α (P = 0.04), whereas high VEGF expression correlate significantly with poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.007). No significant association between CD34 Chalkley counts and VEGF expression and disease-specific survival was observed. High HIF-1α expression showed better disease specific survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A significant association between high tumor vascularity and larger tumor size as well as deeper tumor invasion suggests an important role of angiogenesis in the growth and progression of vulvar carcinomas. HIF-1α expression in vulvar carcinomas was a statistically independent prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ruth Holm
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital and Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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