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Wu S, Tan Y, Li F, Han Y, Zhang S, Lin X. CD44: a cancer stem cell marker and therapeutic target in leukemia treatment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354992. [PMID: 38736891 PMCID: PMC11082360 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
CD44 is a ubiquitous leukocyte adhesion molecule involved in cell-cell interaction, cell adhesion, migration, homing and differentiation. CD44 can mediate the interaction between leukemic stem cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix, thereby inducing a cascade of signaling pathways to regulate their various behaviors. In this review, we focus on the impact of CD44s/CD44v as biomarkers in leukemia development and discuss the current research and prospects for CD44-related interventions in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wu
- Laboratory Animal Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yicheng Tan
- Laboratory Animal Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fanfan Li
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yixiang Han
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shenghui Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofei Lin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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2
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Flynn PA, Long MD, Kosaka Y, Long N, Mulkey JS, Coy JL, Agarwal A, Lind EF. Leukemic mutation FLT3-ITD is retained in dendritic cells and disrupts their homeostasis leading to expanded Th17 frequency. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1297338. [PMID: 38495876 PMCID: PMC10943691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1297338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) are mediators between innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens and tumors. DC development is determined by signaling through the receptor tyrosine kinase Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) in bone marrow myeloid progenitors. Recently the naming conventions for DC phenotypes have been updated to distinguish between "Conventional" DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Activating mutations of FLT3, including Internal Tandem Duplication (FLT3-ITD), are associated with poor prognosis for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Having a shared myeloid lineage it can be difficult to distinguish bone fide DCs from AML tumor cells. To date, there is little information on the effects of FLT3-ITD in DC biology. To further elucidate this relationship we utilized CITE-seq technology in combination with flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays to measure changes to DCs in human and mouse tissues. We examined the cDC phenotype and frequency in bone marrow aspirates from patients with AML to understand the changes to cDCs associated with FLT3-ITD. When compared to healthy donor (HD) we found that a subset of FLT3-ITD+ AML patient samples have overrepresented populations of cDCs and disrupted phenotypes. Using a mouse model of FLT3-ITD+ AML, we found that cDCs were increased in percentage and number compared to control wild-type (WT) mice. Single cell RNA-seq identified FLT3-ITD+ cDCs as skewed towards a cDC2 T-bet- phenotype, previously shown to promote Th17 T cells. We assessed the phenotypes of CD4+ T cells in the AML mice and found significant enrichment of both Treg and Th17 CD4+ T cells in the bone marrow and spleen compartments. Ex vivo stimulation of CD4+ T cells also showed increased Th17 phenotype in AML mice. Moreover, co-culture of AML mouse-derived DCs and naïve OT-II cells preferentially skewed T cells into a Th17 phenotype. Together, our data suggests that FLT3-ITD+ leukemia-associated cDCs polarize CD4+ T cells into Th17 subsets, a population that has been shown to be negatively associated with survival in solid tumor contexts. This illustrates the complex tumor microenvironment of AML and highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of FLT3-ITD mutations on DC phenotypes and their downstream effects on Th polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A. Flynn
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mark D. Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yoko Kosaka
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Nicola Long
- Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jessica S. Mulkey
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jesse L. Coy
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Anupriya Agarwal
- Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Evan F. Lind
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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3
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Cheng X, Shen J, Xu J, Zhu J, Xu P, Wang Y, Gao M. In vivo clinical molecular imaging of T cell activity. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:1031-1045. [PMID: 37932176 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.10.002] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy is refashioning traditional treatments in the clinic for certain tumors, especially by relying on the activation of T cells. However, the safety and effectiveness of many antitumor immunotherapeutic agents are suboptimal due to difficulties encountered in assessing T cell responses and adjusting treatment regimens accordingly. Here, we review advances in the clinical visualization of T cell activity in vivo, and focus particularly on molecular imaging probes and biomarkers of T cell activation. Current challenges and prospects are also discussed that aim to achieve a better strategy for real-time monitoring of T cell activity, predicting prognoses and responses to tumor immunotherapy, and assessing disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaju Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Jiahao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Jingwei Xu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Suzhou Municipal Hospital Institution, Suzhou 215000, PR China.
| | - Jinfeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Pei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Yong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
| | - Mingyuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
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Loureiro G, Bahia DM, Lee MLM, de Souza MP, Kimura EYS, Rezende DC, Silva MCDA, Chauffaille MDLLF, Yamamoto M. MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways are activated in adolescent and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6:e1912. [PMID: 37867416 PMCID: PMC10728523 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1912] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling cascade and the phosphoinosytol-3 phosphate/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathways are involved in proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. The frequency of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway activation in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) still need to be elucidated. AIMS To assess the activity and prognostic implications of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in adult (ALL). METHODS We examined 28 precursor-B-cell ALL and 6 T-cell primary ALL samples. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the expression levels of phosphorylated ERK and phosphorylated Akt. RESULTS Ten out of 15 (67%) ALL fresh samples (7 B-cell, 3 T-cell) showed constitutive p-ERK expression. The p-ERK mean fluorescent index ratio (MFI (R)) showed a tendency to be higher in ALL than in normal T lymphocytes (1.26 [0.74-3.10] vs. 1.08 [1.02-1.21], respectively [p = .069]) and was significantly lower than in leukemic cell lines (median MFI (R) 3.83 [3.71-5.97] [p < .001]). Expression of p-Akt was found in 35% (12/34) (10 B-cell, 2 T-cell). The median MFI (R) expression for p-Akt in primary blast cell was 1.13 (0.48-9.90) compared to 1.01 (1.00-1.20) in normal T lymphocytes (p = ns) and lower than in leukemic cell lines (median MFI (R) 2.10 [1.77-3.40] [p = .037]). Moreover, expression of p-ERK was negatively associated with the expression of CD34 (1.22 [0.74-1.33] vs. 1.52 [1.15-3.10] for CD34(+) and CD34(-) group, respectively, p = .009). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that both MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt are constitutively activated in adult ALL, indicating a targeted therapy potential for ALL by using inhibitors of these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Loureiro
- Division of HematologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM‐UNIFESP)São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Daniella M. Bahia
- Division of HematologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM‐UNIFESP)São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Maria Lucia M. Lee
- Instituto de Oncologia PediátricaGrupo de Apoio ao Adolescente e a Criança com Câncer (GRAACC)São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | | | - Eliza Y. S. Kimura
- Division of HematologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM‐UNIFESP)São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Denise Carvalho Rezende
- Division of HematologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM‐UNIFESP)São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | | | | | - Mihoko Yamamoto
- Division of HematologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM‐UNIFESP)São PauloSão PauloBrazil
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5
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Flynn PA, Long MD, Kosaka Y, Mulkey JS, Coy JL, Agarwal A, Lind EF. Leukemic mutation FLT3-ITD is retained in dendritic cells and disrupts their homeostasis leading to expanded Th17 frequency. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558512. [PMID: 37781631 PMCID: PMC10541139 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) are mediators of adaptive immune responses to pathogens and tumors. DC development is determined by signaling through the receptor tyrosine kinase Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) in bone marrow myeloid progenitors. Recently the naming conventions for DC phenotypes have been updated to distinguish between "Conventional" DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Activating mutations of FLT3, including Internal Tandem Duplication (FLT3-ITD), are associated with poor prognosis for leukemia patients. To date, there is little information on the effects of FLT3-ITD in DC biology. We examined the cDC phenotype and frequency in bone marrow aspirates from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to understand the changes to cDCs associated with FLT3-ITD. When compared to healthy donor (HD) we found that a subset of FLT3-ITD+ AML patient samples have overrepresented populations of cDCs and disrupted phenotypes. Using a mouse model of FLT3-ITD+ AML, we found that cDCs were increased in percentage and number compared to control wild-type (WT) mice. Single cell RNA-seq identified FLT3-ITD+ cDCs as skewed towards a cDC2 T-bet - phenotype, previously shown to promote Th17 T cells. We assessed the phenotypes of CD4+ T cells in the AML mice and found significant enrichment of both Treg and Th17 CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, co-culture of AML mouse- derived DCs and naïve OT-II cells preferentially skewed T cells into a Th17 phenotype. Together, our data suggests that FLT3-ITD+ leukemia-associated cDCs polarize CD4+ T cells into Th17 subsets, a population that has been shown to be negatively associated with survival in solid tumor contexts. This illustrates the complex tumor microenvironment of AML and highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of FLT3-ITD mutations on DC phenotypes.
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6
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Stone TW, Williams RO. Interactions of IDO and the Kynurenine Pathway with Cell Transduction Systems and Metabolism at the Inflammation-Cancer Interface. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112895. [PMID: 37296860 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying a relationship between inflammation and cancer are unclear, but much emphasis has been placed on the role of tryptophan metabolism to kynurenine and downstream metabolites, as these make a substantial contribution to the regulation of immune tolerance and susceptibility to cancer. The proposed link is supported by the induction of tryptophan metabolism by indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) or tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), in response to injury, infection or stress. This review will summarize the kynurenine pathway and will then focus on the bi-directional interactions with other transduction pathways and cancer-related factors. The kynurenine pathway can interact with and modify activity in many other transduction systems, potentially generating an extended web of effects other than the direct effects of kynurenine and its metabolites. Conversely, the pharmacological targeting of those other systems could greatly enhance the efficacy of changes in the kynurenine pathway. Indeed, manipulating those interacting pathways could affect inflammatory status and tumor development indirectly via the kynurenine pathway, while pharmacological modulation of the kynurenine pathway could indirectly influence anti-cancer protection. While current efforts are progressing to account for the failure of selective IDO1 inhibitors to inhibit tumor growth and to devise means of circumventing the issue, it is clear that there are wider factors involving the relationship between kynurenines and cancer that merit detailed consideration as alternative drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor W Stone
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Richard O Williams
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
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7
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Tao Y, Li W, Yang J, Xue T, Wang Y, Dong X, Xu H, Ren J, Lu J. Exploring underlying mechanism of artesunate in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Clin Transl Oncol 2023:10.1007/s12094-023-03125-5. [PMID: 36952106 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03125-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematological cancer. The current diagnosis and therapy model of AML has gradually shifted to personalization and accuracy. Artesunate, a member of the artemisinin family, has anti-tumor impacts on AML. This research uses network pharmacology and molecular docking to anticipate artesunate potential mechanisms of action in the therapy of AML. METHODS Screening the action targets of artesunate through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), PubChem, and Swiss Target Prediction databases; The databases of Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Disgenet, GeneCards, and Drugbank were utilized to identify target genes of AML, and an effective target of artesunate for AML treatment was obtained through cross-analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are built on the Cytoscape platform. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted on the relevant targets using R software. Finally, using molecular docking technology and Pymol, we performed verification of the effects of active components and essential targets. RESULTS Artesunate 30 effective targets for treating AML include CASP3, EGFR, MAPK1, and STAT3, four targeted genes that may have a crucial function in disease management. The virus infection-related pathway (HeptatisB (HBV), Human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and etc.), FoxO, viral carcinogenesis, and proteoglycans in cancer signaling pathways have all been hypothesized to be involved in the action mechanism of GO, which is enriched in 2044 biological processes, 125 molecular functions, 209 cellular components, and 106 KEGG pathways. Molecular docking findings revealed that artesunate was critically important in the therapy of AML due to its high affinity for the four primary disease targets. Molecular docking with a low binding energy yields helpful information for developing medicines against AML. CONCLUSIONS Consequently, artesunate may play a role in multi-targeted, multi-signaling pathways in treating AML, suggesting that artesunate may have therapeutic potential for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Tao
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhang Li
- Meishan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Affiliated Meishan Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meishan, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianying Yang
- Meishan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Affiliated Meishan Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meishan, Sichuan, China
| | - Tingting Xue
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanlu Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Dong
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianye Ren
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Lu
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Romine KA, MacPherson K, Cho HJ, Kosaka Y, Flynn PA, Byrd KH, Coy JL, Newman MT, Pandita R, Loo CP, Scott J, Adey AC, Lind EF. BET inhibitors rescue anti-PD1 resistance by enhancing TCF7 accessibility in leukemia-derived terminally exhausted CD8 + T cells. Leukemia 2023; 37:580-592. [PMID: 36681742 PMCID: PMC9991923 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Many acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients exhibit hallmarks of immune exhaustion, such as increased myeloid-derived suppressor cells, suppressive regulatory T cells and dysfunctional T cells. Similarly, we have identified the same immune-related features, including exhausted CD8+ T cells (TEx) in a mouse model of AML. Here we show that inhibitors that target bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins affect tumor-intrinsic factors but also rescue T cell exhaustion and ICB resistance. Ex vivo treatment of cells from AML mice and AML patients with BET inhibitors (BETi) reversed CD8+ T cell exhaustion by restoring proliferative capacity and expansion of the more functional precursor-exhausted T cells. This reversal was enhanced by combined BETi and anti-PD1 treatment. BETi synergized with anti-PD1 in vivo, resulting in the reduction of circulating leukemia cells, enrichment of CD8+ T cells in the bone marrow, and increase in expression of Tcf7, Slamf6, and Cxcr5 in CD8+ T cells. Finally, we profiled the epigenomes of in vivo JQ1-treated AML-derived CD8+ T cells by single-cell ATAC-seq and found that JQ1 increases Tcf7 accessibility specifically in Tex cells, suggesting that BETi likely acts mechanistically by relieving repression of progenitor programs in Tex CD8+ T cells and maintaining a pool of anti-PD1 responsive CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Romine
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kevin MacPherson
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Hyun-Jun Cho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yoko Kosaka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Patrick A Flynn
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kaelan H Byrd
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jesse L Coy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Matthew T Newman
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ravina Pandita
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Christopher P Loo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jaime Scott
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Andrew C Adey
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Center for Early Detection Advanced Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Evan F Lind
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Yang X, Ma L, Zhang X, Huang L, Wei J. Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:11. [PMID: 35236415 PMCID: PMC8889667 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00263-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell diseases arising from the bone marrow (BM), and approximately 30% of MDS eventually progress to AML, associated with increasingly aggressive neoplastic hematopoietic clones and poor survival. Dysregulated immune microenvironment has been recognized as a key pathogenic driver of MDS and AML, causing high rate of intramedullary apoptosis in lower-risk MDS to immunosuppression in higher-risk MDS and AML. Immune checkpoint molecules, including programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), play important roles in oncogenesis by maintaining an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Recently, both molecules have been examined in MDS and AML. Abnormal inflammatory signaling, genetic and/or epigenetic alterations, interactions between cells, and treatment of patients all have been involved in dysregulating PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in these two diseases. Furthermore, with the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway activated in immune microenvironment, the milieu of BM shift to immunosuppressive, contributing to a clonal evolution of blasts. Nevertheless, numerous preclinical studies have suggested a potential response of patients to PD-1/PD-L1 blocker. Current clinical trials employing these drugs in MDS and AML have reported mixed clinical responses. In this paper, we focus on the recent preclinical advances of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in MDS and AML, and available and ongoing outcomes of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in patients. We also discuss the novel PD-1/PD-L1 blocker-based immunotherapeutic strategies and challenges, including identifying reliable biomarkers, determining settings, and exploring optimal combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingcheng Yang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Liang Huang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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10
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Tomida A, Yagyu S, Nakamura K, Kubo H, Yamashima K, Nakazawa Y, Hosoi H, Iehara T. Inhibition of MEK pathway enhances the antitumor efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cells against neuroblastoma. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:4026-4036. [PMID: 34382720 PMCID: PMC8486218 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Disialoganglioside (GD2)‐specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cells (GD2‐CAR‐T cells) have been developed and tested in early clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma. However, the effectiveness of immunotherapy using these cells is limited, and requires improvement. Combined therapy with CAR‐T cells and molecular targeted drugs could be a promising strategy to enhance the antitumor efficacy of CAR T cell immunotherapy. Here, we generated GD2‐CAR‐T cells through piggyBac transposon (PB)‐based gene transfer (PB‐GD2‐CAR‐T cells), and analyzed the combined effect of these cells and a MEK inhibitor in vitro and in vivo on neuroblastoma. Trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, ameliorated the killing efficacy of PB‐GD2‐CAR‐T cells in vitro, whereas a combined treatment of the two showed superior antitumor efficacy in a murine xenograft model compared to that of PB‐GD2‐CAR‐T cell monotherapy, regardless of the mutation status of the MAPK pathway in tumor cells. The results presented here provide new insights into the feasibility of combined treatment with CAR‐T cells and MEK inhibitors in patients with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akimasa Tomida
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yagyu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for Advanced Research of Gene and Cell Therapy in Shinshu University (CARS), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Kayoko Nakamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kubo
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kumiko Yamashima
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Yozo Nakazawa
- Center for Advanced Research of Gene and Cell Therapy in Shinshu University (CARS), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hajime Hosoi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoko Iehara
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan
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11
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Lambrou GI, Karakonstantakis T, Vlahopoulos S, Zaravinos A. Dual Mechanisms of Metabolism and Gene Expression of the CCRF-CEM Leukemia Cells under Glucocorticoid Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115889. [PMID: 34072627 PMCID: PMC8198442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoids play an essential part in anti-leukemic therapies, but resistance is a crucial event for the prognosis of the disease. Glucocorticoids influence the metabolic properties of leukemic cells. The inherent plasticity of clinically evolving cancer cells justifies the characterization of drug-induced early oncogenic pathways, which represent a likely source of detrimental secondary effects. AIM The present work aims to investigate the effect of glucocorticoids in metabolic pathways in the CCRF-CEM leukemic cells. Metabolic factors and gene expression profiles were examined in order to unravel the possible mechanisms of the CCRF-CEM leukemic cell growth dynamics. METHODS CCRF-CEM cells were used as a model. Cells were treated with prednisolone with concentrations 0-700 μM. Cell culture supernatants were used for glucose, lactic acid, LDH, Na+, K+ and Ca++ measurements. Cytotoxicity was determined with flow cytometry. Microarray analysis was performed using two different chips of 1.2 k and 4.8 k genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis was applied to find metabolism- and GC-related genes. RESULTS Higher prednisolone concentrations inhibited glucose uptake, without exhibiting any cytotoxic effects. Glucose consumption did not correlate with the total cell population, or the viable population, indicating that growth is not directly proportional to glucose consumption. Neither of the subpopulations, i.e., viable, necrotic, or apoptotic cells, contributed to this. CONCLUSIONS Different types of leukemic cells seem to exhibit different patterns of glucose metabolism. Both resistant and sensitive CCRF-CEM cells followed the aerobic pathway of glycolysis. There is probably a rapid change in membrane permeability, causing a general shutdown towards everything that is outside the cell. This could in part also explain the observed resistance. Glucocorticoids do not enter the cell passively anymore and therefore no effects are observed. Based on our observations, ion concentrations are measurable factors both in vitro and in vivo, which makes them possible markers of glucocorticoid cytotoxic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- George I. Lambrou
- Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: (G.I.L.); (A.Z.); Tel.: +30-210-746-7427 (G.I.L.)
| | | | - Spiros Vlahopoulos
- Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Correspondence: (G.I.L.); (A.Z.); Tel.: +30-210-746-7427 (G.I.L.)
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12
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Swatler J, Turos-Korgul L, Kozlowska E, Piwocka K. Immunosuppressive Cell Subsets and Factors in Myeloid Leukemias. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061203. [PMID: 33801964 PMCID: PMC7998753 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Effector immune system cells have the ability to kill tumor cells. However, as a cancer (such as leukemia) develops, it inhibits and evades the effector immune response. Such a state of immunosuppression can be driven by several factors – receptors, soluble cytokines, as well as by suppressive immune cells. In this review, we describe factors and cells that constitute immunosuppressive microenvironment of myeloid leukemias. We characterize factors of direct leukemic origin, such as inhibitory receptors, enzymes and extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, we describe suppressive immune cells, such as myeloid derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells. Finally, we sum up changes in these drivers of immune evasion in myeloid leukemias during therapy. Abstract Both chronic myeloid leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia evade the immune response during their development and disease progression. As myeloid leukemia cells modify their bone marrow microenvironment, they lead to dysfunction of cytotoxic cells, such as CD8+ T cells or NK cells, simultaneously promoting development of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and suppressive myeloid cells. This facilitates disease progression, spreading of leukemic blasts outside the bone marrow niche and therapy resistance. The following review focuses on main immunosuppressive features of myeloid leukemias. Firstly, factors derived directly from leukemic cells – inhibitory receptors, soluble factors and extracellular vesicles, are described. Further, we outline function, properties and origin of main immunosuppressive cells - regulatory T cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells and macrophages. Finally, we analyze interplay between recovery of effector immunity and therapeutic modalities, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Swatler
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (L.T.-K.)
| | - Laura Turos-Korgul
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (L.T.-K.)
| | - Ewa Kozlowska
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Piwocka
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (L.T.-K.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Wang T, Lyu CY, Jiang YH, Dong XY, Wang Y, Li ZH, Wang JX, Xu RR. A drug-biomarker interaction model to predict the key targets of Scutellaria barbata D. Don in adverse-risk acute myeloid leukaemia. Mol Divers 2020; 25:2351-2365. [PMID: 32676746 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A poor prognosis, relapse and resistance are burning issues during adverse-risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treatment. As a natural medicine, Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SBD) has shown impressive antitumour activity in various cancers. Thus, SBD may become a potential drug in adverse-risk AML treatment. This study aimed to screen the key targets of SBD in adverse-risk AML using the drug-biomarker interaction model through bioinformatics and network pharmacology methods. First, the adverse-risk AML-related critical biomarkers and targets of SBD active ingredient were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and several pharmacophore matching databases. Next, the protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and topological analysis and pathway enrichment were used to screen key targets and main pathways of intervention of SBD in adverse-risk AML. Finally, molecular docking was implemented for key target verification. The results suggest that luteolin and quercetin are the main active components of SBD against adverse-risk AML, and affected drug resistance, apoptosis, immune regulation and angiogenesis through the core targets AKT1, MAPK1, IL6, EGFR, SRC, VEGFA and TP53. We hope the proposed drug-biomarker interaction model provides an effective strategy for the research and development of antitumour drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Yi Lyu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue-Hua Jiang
- Central Laboratory of Affiliated Hospital of Shandong, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Yan Dong
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zong-Hong Li
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Xin Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Rong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Battram AM, Bachiller M, Martín-Antonio B. Senescence in the Development and Response to Cancer with Immunotherapy: A Double-Edged Sword. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124346. [PMID: 32570952 PMCID: PMC7352478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence was first described as a physiological tumor cell suppressor mechanism that leads to cell growth arrest with production of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype known as SASP. The main role of SASP in physiological conditions is to attract immune cells to clear senescent cells avoiding tumor development. However, senescence can be damage-associated and, depending on the nature of these stimuli, additional types of senescence have been described. In the context of cancer, damage-associated senescence has been described as a consequence of chemotherapy treatments that were initially thought of as a tumor suppressor mechanism. However, in certain contexts, senescence after chemotherapy can promote cancer progression, especially when immune cells become senescent and cannot clear senescent tumor cells. Moreover, aging itself leads to continuous inflammaging and immunosenescence which are responsible for rewiring immune cells to become defective in their functionality. Here, we define different types of senescence, pathways that activate them, and functions of SASP in these events. Additionally, we describe the role of senescence in cancer and its treatments, including how aging and chemotherapy contribute to senescence in tumor cells, before focusing on immune cell senescence and its role in cancer. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic interventions to reverse cell senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M. Battram
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Mireia Bachiller
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Beatriz Martín-Antonio
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.B.); (M.B.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS/Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Carrer Rosselló 149-153, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-93-227-45-28; Fax: +34-93-312-94-07
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