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Candido MF, Medeiros M, Veronez LC, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Pezuk JA, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020664. [PMID: 36839989 PMCID: PMC9966033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Medeiros
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Chain Veronez
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - David Bastos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-9144; Fax: +55-16-3315-4886
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Keller KM, Eleveld TF, Schild L, van den Handel K, van den Boogaard M, Amo-Addae V, Eising S, Ober K, Koopmans B, Looijenga L, Tytgat GA, Ylstra B, Molenaar JJ, Dolman MEM, van Hooff SR. Chromosome 11q loss and MYCN amplification demonstrate synthetic lethality with checkpoint kinase 1 inhibition in neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:929123. [PMID: 36237330 PMCID: PMC9552537 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.929123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor found in children and despite intense multi-modal therapeutic approaches, low overall survival rates of high-risk patients persist. Tumors with heterozygous loss of chromosome 11q and MYCN amplification are two genetically distinct subsets of neuroblastoma that are associated with poor patient outcome. Using an isogenic 11q deleted model system and high-throughput drug screening, we identify checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) as a potential therapeutic target for 11q deleted neuroblastoma. Further investigation reveals MYCN amplification as a possible additional biomarker for CHK1 inhibition, independent of 11q loss. Overall, our study highlights the potential power of studying chromosomal aberrations to guide preclinical development of novel drug targets and combinations. Additionally, our study builds on the growing evidence that DNA damage repair and replication stress response pathways offer therapeutic vulnerabilities for the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee M. Keller
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thomas F. Eleveld
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Linda Schild
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kim van den Handel
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Vicky Amo-Addae
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Selma Eising
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kimberley Ober
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bianca Koopmans
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Leendert Looijenga
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Godelieve A.M. Tytgat
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bauke Ylstra
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan J. Molenaar
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Jan J. Molenaar,
| | - M. Emmy M. Dolman
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Sander R. van Hooff
- Department of Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Amplification of CDK4 and MDM2: a detailed study of a high-risk neuroblastoma subgroup. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12420. [PMID: 35859155 PMCID: PMC9300649 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In neuroblastoma, MYCN amplification and 11q-deletion are important, although incomplete, markers of high-risk disease. It is therefore relevant to characterize additional alterations that can function as prognostic and/or predictive markers. Using SNP-microarrays, a group of neuroblastoma patients showing amplification of one or multiple 12q loci was identified. Two loci containing CDK4 and MDM2 were commonly co-amplified, although amplification of either locus in the absence of the other was observed. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK4/6 with ribociclib or abemaciclib decreased proliferation in a broad set of neuroblastoma cell lines, including CDK4/MDM2-amplified, whereas MDM2 inhibition by Nutlin-3a was only effective in p53wild-type cells. Combined CDK4/MDM2 targeting had an additive effect in p53wild-type cell lines, while no or negative additive effect was observed in p53mutated cells. Most 12q-amplified primary tumors were of abdominal origin, including those of intrarenal origin initially suspected of being Wilms' tumor. An atypical metastatic pattern was also observed with low degree of bone marrow involvement, favoring other sites such as the lungs. Here we present detailed biological data of an aggressive neuroblastoma subgroup hallmarked by 12q amplification and atypical clinical presentation for which our in vitro studies indicate that CDK4 and/or MDM2 inhibition also could be beneficial.
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Target actionability review to evaluate CDK4/6 as a therapeutic target in paediatric solid and brain tumours. Eur J Cancer 2022; 170:196-208. [PMID: 35671543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.04.028] [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: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer is still a leading cause of death around the world. To improve outcomes, there is an urgent need for tailored treatment. The systematic evaluation of existing preclinical data can provide an overview of what is known and identify gaps in the current knowledge. Here, we applied the target actionability review (TAR) methodology to assess the strength and weaknesses of available scientific literature on CDK4/6 as a therapeutic target in paediatric solid and brain tumours by structured critical appraisal. METHODS Using relevant search terms in PubMed, a list of original publications investigating CDK4/6 in paediatric solid tumour types was identified based on relevancy criteria. Each publication was annotated for the tumour type and categorised into separate proof-of-concept (PoC) data modules. Based on rubrics, quality and experimental outcomes were scored independently by two reviewers. A third reviewer evaluated and adjudicated score discrepancies. Scores for each PoC module were averaged for each tumour type and visualised in a heatmap matrix in the publicly available R2 data portal. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS This CDK4/6 TAR, generated by analysis of 151 data entries from 71 publications, showed frequent genomic aberrations of CDK4/6 in rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, high-grade glioma, medulloblastoma, and neuroblastoma. However, a clear correlation between CDK4/6 aberrations and compound efficacy is not coming forth from the literature. Our analysis indicates that several paediatric indications would need (further) preclinical evaluation to allow for better recommendations, especially regarding the dependence of tumours on CDK4/6, predictive biomarkers, resistance mechanisms, and combination strategies. Nevertheless, our TAR heatmap provides support for the relevance of CDK4/6 inhibition in Ewing sarcoma, medulloblastoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour and to a lesser extent neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, rhabdoid tumour and high-grade glioma. The interactive heatmap is accessible through R2 [r2platform.com/TAR/CDK4_6].
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Yang H, Yang J, Bian H, Wang X. A novel cuproptosis-related gene signature predicting overall survival in pediatric neuroblastoma patients. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1049858. [PMID: 36568423 PMCID: PMC9768227 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1049858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cuproptosis is a novel cell death pathway, and the regulatory mechanism in pediatric neuroblastoma (NB) remains to be explored. We amid to investigate cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) and construct a novel prognostic model for NB. METHODS To evaluate the role of CRGs on the clinical outcome of pediatric NB, the dataset of pediatric patients with NB of GSE49710 dataset was used to identify CRGs in association with patient overall survival (OS), and TARGET database was used to validate the predictive value of cuproptosis-related signature (CRG-score). The correlation between the CRG-score and the tumor microenvironment (TME), clinicopathological parameters, chemotherapy, and the response to immunotherapy was explored. RESULTS Overall, 31 CRGs were associated with OS in the univariate Cox regression analysis. Then, a prognostic model incorporating 9 CRGs was established with the LASSO regression analysis, which could classify all NB patients into two CRG-score groups. The performance of the signature was verified in both internal and external validation cohorts. Multivariate analysis indicated that the CRG-score was an independent prognostic indicator, and stratification analysis still showed a high predictive ability for survival prediction. The CRG-score was associated with age, MYCN status, INSS stage, and COG risk. Additionally, the higher CRG-score group exhibited lower immune scores, immune cell infiltration, and decreased expression of immune checkpoints. Meanwhile, the CRG-score could predict the drug sensitivity of administering chemotherapeutic agents for NB patients. CONCLUSIONS Our comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-associated genes in NB provides a new approach for the prediction of clinical outcomes and more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Wuhan Children' Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Wuhan Children' Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongqiang Bian
- Department of General Surgery, Wuhan Children' Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Wuhan Children' Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Decaesteker B, Durinck K, Van Roy N, De Wilde B, Van Neste C, Van Haver S, Roberts S, De Preter K, Vermeirssen V, Speleman F. From DNA Copy Number Gains and Tumor Dependencies to Novel Therapeutic Targets for High-Risk Neuroblastoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:1286. [PMID: 34945759 PMCID: PMC8707517 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumor arising from the sympatho-adrenal lineage and a worldwide leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths. About half of high-risk patients die from the disease while survivors suffer from multiple therapy-related side-effects. While neuroblastomas present with a low mutational burden, focal and large segmental DNA copy number aberrations are highly recurrent and associated with poor survival. It can be assumed that the affected chromosomal regions contain critical genes implicated in neuroblastoma biology and behavior. More specifically, evidence has emerged that several of these genes are implicated in tumor dependencies thus potentially providing novel therapeutic entry points. In this review, we briefly review the current status of recurrent DNA copy number aberrations in neuroblastoma and provide an overview of the genes affected by these genomic variants for which a direct role in neuroblastoma has been established. Several of these genes are implicated in networks that positively regulate MYCN expression or stability as well as cell cycle control and apoptosis. Finally, we summarize alternative approaches to identify and prioritize candidate copy-number driven dependency genes for neuroblastoma offering novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Grants
- P30 CA008748 NCI NIH HHS
- G087221N, G.0507.12, G049720N,12U4718N, 11C3921N, 11J8313N, 12B5313N, 1514215N, 1197617N,1238420N, 12Q8322N, 3F018519, 12N6917N Fund for Scientific Research Flanders
- 2018-087, 2018-125, 2020-112 Belgian Foundation against Cancer
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Affiliation(s)
- Bieke Decaesteker
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Kaat Durinck
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Bram De Wilde
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Neste
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Stéphane Van Haver
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Stephen Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Vanessa Vermeirssen
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
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Ciaccio R, De Rosa P, Aloisi S, Viggiano M, Cimadom L, Zadran SK, Perini G, Milazzo G. Targeting Oncogenic Transcriptional Networks in Neuroblastoma: From N-Myc to Epigenetic Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12883. [PMID: 34884690 PMCID: PMC8657550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most frequently occurring neurogenic extracranial solid cancers in childhood and infancy. Over the years, many pieces of evidence suggested that NB development is controlled by gene expression dysregulation. These unleashed programs that outline NB cancer cells make them highly dependent on specific tuning of gene expression, which can act co-operatively to define the differentiation state, cell identity, and specialized functions. The peculiar regulation is mainly caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations, resulting in the dependency on a small set of key master transcriptional regulators as the convergence point of multiple signalling pathways. In this review, we provide a comprehensive blueprint of transcriptional regulation bearing NB initiation and progression, unveiling the complexity of novel oncogenic and tumour suppressive regulatory networks of this pathology. Furthermore, we underline the significance of multi-target therapies against these hallmarks, showing how novel approaches, together with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy, can have substantial antineoplastic effects, disrupting a wide variety of tumorigenic pathways through combinations of different treatments.
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Portman N, Chen J, Lim E. MDM2 as a Rational Target for Intervention in CDK4/6 Inhibitor Resistant, Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:777867. [PMID: 34804982 PMCID: PMC8596371 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.777867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the adoption of inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6i) in combination with endocrine therapy as standard of care for the treatment of advanced and metastatic estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, the search is now on for novel therapeutic options to manage the disease after the inevitable development of resistance to CDK4/6i. In this review we will consider the integral role that the p53/MDM2 axis plays in the interactions between CDK4/6, ERα, and inhibitors of these molecules, the current preclinical evidence for the efficacy of MDM2 inhibitors in ER+ breast cancer, and discuss the possibility of targeting the p53/MDM2 via inhibition of MDM2 in the CDK4/6i resistance setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Portman
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia Chen
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
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