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Chen Q, Zhang J, Wang X, Zong W, Sun L, Qin J, Yin Y. Two case reports: EML4-ALK rearrangement large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and literature review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1227980. [PMID: 38023218 PMCID: PMC10646488 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1227980] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene (ALK) rearrangement is present in only approximately 5% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and is scarce in LCNEC patients. The conventional first-line treatment options are chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy or chemotherapy followed by palliative radiotherapy. In this report, we present two cases of metastatic LCNEC with EML4-ALK fusion that were treated with ALK-TKI inhibitors and demonstrated a rapid therapeutic response. Both patients were nonsmoking women who declined cytotoxic chemotherapy, underwent Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and confirmed EML4-ALK fusion. They were treated with alectinib as first-line therapy, and the tumors showed significant shrinkage after two months, achieving a PR (defined as a more than 30% decrease in the sum of maximal dimensions). The PFS was 22 months and 32 months, respectively, until the last follow-up. A systematic review of all previously reported cases of LCNEC with ALK mutations identified only 21 cases. These cases were characterized by being female (71.4%), nonsmoking (85.7%), diagnosed at a relatively young age (median age 51.1), and stage IV (89.5%), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 90.5%. PFS and OS were significantly longer than those treated with conventional chemotherapy/immunotherapy. Based on the clinical characteristics and the effective therapeutic outcomes with ALK inhibitors in LCNEC patients with ALK fusion, we recommend routine ALK IHC (economical, affordable, and convenient, but with higher false positives) as a screening method in advanced LCNEC patients, particularly nonsmoking females or those who are not candidates for or unwilling to undergo cytotoxic chemotherapy. Further molecular profiling is necessary to confirm these potential beneficiaries. We suggest TKI inhibitors as the first-line treatment for metastatic LCNEC with ALK fusion. Additional studies on larger cohorts are required to assess the prevalence of ALK gene fusions and their sensitivity to various ALK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenkang Zong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Leina Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianwen Qin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Yin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
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2
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Pan Y, Deng C, Qiu Z, Cao C, Wu F. The Resistance Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies for ALK-Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:713530. [PMID: 34660278 PMCID: PMC8517331 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.713530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a validated molecular target for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to significantly improved survival benefits. However, the clinical benefits of targeting ALK using TKIs are limited due to the emergence of drug resistance. The landscape of resistance mechanisms and treatment decisions has become increasingly complex. Therefore, continued research into new drugs and combinatorial therapies is required to improve outcomes in NSCLC. In this review, we explore the resistance mechanisms of ALK TKIs in advanced NSCLC in order to provide a theoretical basis and research ideas for solving the problem of ALK drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Pan
- Department of Oncology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Deng
- Department of Oncology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenhua Qiu
- Department of Oncology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Fang Wu
- Department of Oncology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Cancer Mega-Data Intelligent Application and Engineering Research Centre, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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3
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Villa M, Sharma GG, Manfroni C, Cortinovis D, Mologni L. New Advances in Liquid Biopsy Technologies for Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Positive Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5149. [PMID: 34680298 PMCID: PMC8534237 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by high genetic instability, that favors tumor relapse. The identification of the genetic causes of relapse can direct next-line therapeutic choices. As tumor tissue rebiopsy at disease progression is not always feasible, noninvasive alternative methods are being explored. Liquid biopsy is emerging as a non-invasive, easy and repeatable tool to identify specific molecular alterations and monitor disease response during treatment. The dynamic follow-up provided by this analysis can provide useful predictive information and allow prompt therapeutic actions, tailored to the genetic profile of the recurring disease, several months before radiographic relapse. Oncogenic fusion genes are particularly suited for this type of analysis. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) is the dominant driver oncogene in several tumors, including Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and others. Here we review recent findings in liquid biopsy technologies, including ctDNA, CTCs, exosomes, and other markers that can be investigated from plasma samples, in ALK-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Villa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Geeta G. Sharma
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Chiara Manfroni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Diego Cortinovis
- Department of Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Luca Mologni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
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4
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Sánchez-Herrero E, Serna-Blasco R, Ivanchuk V, García-Campelo R, Dómine Gómez M, Sánchez JM, Massutí B, Reguart N, Camps C, Sanz-Moreno S, Calabuig-Fariñas S, Jantus-Lewintre E, Arnal M, Fernández-Orth D, Calvo V, González-Rumayor V, Provencio M, Romero A. NGS-based liquid biopsy profiling identifies mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibitors: a step toward personalized NSCLC treatment. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2363-2376. [PMID: 34058070 PMCID: PMC8410554 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite impressive and durable responses, nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors (ALK-Is) ultimately progress due to development of resistance. Here, we have evaluated the clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling by next-generation sequencing (NGS) upon disease progression. We collected 26 plasma and two cerebrospinal fluid samples from 24 advanced ALK-positive NSCLC patients at disease progression to an ALK-I. These samples were analyzed by NGS and digital PCR. A tool to retrieve variants at the ALK locus was developed (VALK tool). We identified at least one resistance mutation in the ALK locus in ten (38.5%) plasma samples; the G1269A and G1202R mutations were the most prevalent among patients progressing to first- and second-generation ALK-Is, respectively. Overall, 61 somatic mutations were detected in 14 genes: TP53, ALK, PIK3CA, SMAD4, MAP2K1 (MEK1), FGFR2, FGFR3, BRAF, EGFR, IDH2, MYC, MET, CCND3, and CCND1. Specifically, a deletion in exon 19 in EGFR, a non-V600 BRAF mutation (G466V), and the F129L mutation in MAP2K1 were identified in four patients who showed no objective survival benefit from ALK-Is. Potential ALK-I-resistance mutations were also found in PIK3CA and IDH2. Finally, a c-MYC gain, along with a loss of CCND1 and FGFR3, was detected in a patient progressing on a first-line treatment with crizotinib. We conclude that NGS analysis of liquid biopsies upon disease progression identified different putative ALK-I-resistance mutations in most cases and could be a valuable approach for therapy decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela Sánchez-Herrero
- Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain.,Atrys Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Serna-Blasco
- Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Vadym Ivanchuk
- Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Dómine Gómez
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Oncohealth Institute, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Sánchez
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bartomeu Massutí
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario de Alicante, ISABIAL, Alicante, Spain
| | - Noemi Reguart
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Camps
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain.,CIBERONC, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Sandra Sanz-Moreno
- Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Silvia Calabuig-Fariñas
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain.,CIBERONC, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Eloísa Jantus-Lewintre
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain.,CIBERONC, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Biotechnology, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Magdalena Arnal
- MARGenomics, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Virginia Calvo
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - Mariano Provencio
- Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Atocha Romero
- Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Spain
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Esposito Abate R, Frezzetti D, Maiello MR, Gallo M, Camerlingo R, De Luca A, De Cecio R, Morabito A, Normanno N. Next Generation Sequencing-Based Profiling of Cell Free DNA in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Advantages and Pitfalls. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3804. [PMID: 33348595 PMCID: PMC7766403 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is the main cause of death for cancer worldwide and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the most common histology. The discovery of genomic alterations in driver genes that offer the possibility of therapeutic intervention has completely changed the approach to the diagnosis and therapy of advanced NSCLC patients, and tumor molecular profiling has become mandatory for the choice of the most appropriate therapeutic strategy. However, in approximately 30% of NSCLC patients tumor tissue is inadequate for biomarker analysis. The development of highly sensitive next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for the analysis of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is emerging as a valuable alternative to assess tumor molecular landscape in case of tissue unavailability. Additionally, cfDNA NGS testing can better recapitulate NSCLC heterogeneity as compared with tissue testing. In this review we describe the main advantages and limits of using NGS-based cfDNA analysis to guide the therapeutic decision-making process in advanced NSCLC patients, to monitor the response to therapy and to identify mechanisms of resistance early. Therefore, we provide evidence that the implementation of cfDNA NGS testing in clinical research and in the clinical practice can significantly improve precision medicine approaches in patients with advanced NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riziero Esposito Abate
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Daniela Frezzetti
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Monica Rosaria Maiello
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Marianna Gallo
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Rosa Camerlingo
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Antonella De Luca
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Rossella De Cecio
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Morabito
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (R.E.A.); (D.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.G.); (R.C.); (A.D.L.)
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6
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Kang J, Zhang XC, Chen HJ, Zhong WZ, Xu Y, Su J, Zhou Q, Tu HY, Wang Z, Xu CR, Yang XN, Chen ZH, Wu X, Zhang X, Shao Y, Wu YL, Yang JJ. Complex ALK Fusions Are Associated With Better Prognosis in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:596937. [PMID: 33363027 PMCID: PMC7759679 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.596937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) is the canonical anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion partner in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and ALK-positive patients showed promising responses to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, studies that comprehensively investigate ALK TKI treatment in patients with different ALK fusion patterns are still lacking. Methods Ninety-eight ALK-positive patients with advanced NSCLC were retrospectively studied for their response to crizotinib and subsequent treatments. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was conducted to divide patients into different groups based on their ALK fusion patterns. Non-canonical ALK fusions were validated using RNA-sequencing. Results 54.1% of patients had pure canonical EML4-ALK fusions, 19.4% carried only non-canonical ALK fusions, and 26.5% harbored complex ALK fusions with coexisting canonical and non-canonical ALK fusions. The objective response rate and median progression-free survival to crizotinib treatment tended to be better in the complex ALK fusion group. Notably, patients with complex ALK fusions had significantly improved overall survival after crizotinib treatment (p = 0.012), especially when compared with the pure canonical EML4-ALK fusion group (p = 0.010). The complex ALK fusion group also tended to respond better to next-generation ALK TKIs, which were used as later-line therapies. Most identified non-canonical ALK fusions were likely to be expressed in tumors, and some of them formed canonical EML4-ALK transcripts during mRNA maturation. Conclusion Our results suggest NSCLC patients with complex ALK fusions could potentially have better treatment outcomes to ALK TKIs therapy. Also, diagnosis using CGP is of great value to identify novel ALK fusions and predict prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Kang
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu-Chao Zhang
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua-Jun Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Zhao Zhong
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Translational Medicine Research Institute, Geneseeq Technology Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jian Su
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Yan Tu
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chong-Rui Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Ning Yang
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Wu
- Translational Medicine Research Institute, Geneseeq Technology Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xian Zhang
- Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China.,School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Guangdong General Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Ji Yang
- Division of Pulmonary Oncology, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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