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Xie X, Lee J, Iwase T, Kai M, Ueno NT. Emerging drug targets for triple-negative breast cancer: A guided tour of the preclinical landscape. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:405-425. [PMID: 35574694 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2077188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most fatal molecular subtype of breast cancer because of its aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy. FDA-approved therapies for TNBC are limited to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and trophoblast cell surface antigen 2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. Therefore, developing a novel effective targeted therapy for TNBC is an urgent unmet need. AREAS COVERED In this narrative review, we discuss emerging targets for TNBC treatment discovered in early translational studies. We focus on cancer cell membrane molecules, hyperactive intracellular signaling pathways, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) based on their druggability, therapeutic potency, specificity to TNBC, and application in immunotherapy. EXPERT OPINION The significant challenges in the identification and validation of TNBC-associated targets are 1) application of appropriate genetic, molecular, and immunological approaches for modulating the target, 2) establishment of a proper mouse model that accurately represents the human immune TME, 3) TNBC molecular heterogeneity, and 4) failure translation of preclinical findings to clinical practice. To overcome those difficulties, future research needs to apply novel technology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptase sequencing, and humanized mouse models. Further, combination treatment targeting multiple pathways in both the TNBC tumor and its TME is essential for effective disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Xie
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jangsoon Lee
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Toshiaki Iwase
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Megumi Kai
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Nai Y, Du L, Shen M, Li T, Huang J, Han X, Luo F, Wang W, Pang D, Jin A. TRAIL-R1-Targeted CAR-T Cells Exhibit Dual Antitumor Efficacy. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:756599. [PMID: 34988114 PMCID: PMC8721281 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.756599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1) has limited expression in normal tissues but was highly expressed in various types of tumors, making it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we utilized the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) from our previously identified TRAIL-R1-targeting monoclonal antibody (TR1419) with antitumor efficacy and produced the TR1419 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. We characterized the phenotypes and functions of these CAR-T cells and found that the third-generation TR1419-28BBζ CAR-T cells exhibited greater target sensitivity and proliferative capability, with slightly higher PD-1 expression after antigen stimulation. Importantly, we found that the TR1419 CAR-T cells could induce TRAIL-R1-positive tumor cell death via a dual mechanism of the death receptor-dependent apoptosis as well as the T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Altogether, the TR1419 CAR-T cells could serve as a promising strategy for targeting the TRAIL-R1-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Nai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Du
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiying Shen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.,Department of Endocrine Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaojian Han
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feiyang Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wang Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Da Pang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Aishun Jin
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research of Tumor Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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miR-34a-Mediated Survivin Inhibition Improves the Antitumor Activity of Selinexor in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060523. [PMID: 34072442 PMCID: PMC8227962 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease with limited therapeutic options. Here, we pursued a combinatorial therapeutic approach to enhance the activity of selinexor, the first-in-class XPO1 inhibitor, by miR-34a ectopic expression in human TNBC experimental models. Anti-proliferative activity induced by selinexor and miR-34a expression, singly and in combination, was evaluated by MTS assay and cell counting. The effect of treatments on survivin and apoptosis-related proteins was assessed by western blotting and ELISA. The antitumor and toxic effects of individual and combined treatments were evaluated on TNBC orthotopic xenografts in SCID mice. Selinexor consistently showed anti-proliferative activity, although to a variable extent, in the different TNBC cell lines and caused the impairment of survivin expression and intracellular distribution, accompanied by apoptosis induction. Consistent with in vitro data, the XPO1 inhibitor variably affected the growth of TNBC orthotopic xenografts. miR-34a cooperated with selinexor to reduce survivin expression and improved its anti-proliferative activity in TNBC cells. Most importantly, miR-34a expression markedly enhanced selinexor antitumor activity in the less sensitive TNBC xenograft model, in absence of toxicity. Our data form a solid foundation for promoting the use of a miR-34a-based approach to improve the therapeutic efficacy of selinexor in TNBC patients.
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Fucà G, Spagnoletti A, Ambrosini M, de Braud F, Di Nicola M. Immune cell engagers in solid tumors: promises and challenges of the next generation immunotherapy. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100046. [PMID: 33508733 PMCID: PMC7841318 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2020.100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the landscape of cancer immunotherapy, immune cell engagers (ICEs) are rapidly emerging as a feasible and easy-to-deliver alternative to adoptive cell therapy for the antitumor redirection of immune effector cells. Even if in hematological malignancies this class of new therapeutics already hit the clinic, the development of ICEs in solid tumors still represents a challenge. Considering that ICEs are a rapidly expanding biotechnology in cancer therapy, we designed this review as a primer for clinicians, focusing on the major obstacles for the clinical implementation and the most translatable approaches proposed to overcome the limitations in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Fucà
- Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapeutics Unit, Medical Oncology and Hematology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Spagnoletti
- Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapeutics Unit, Medical Oncology and Hematology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M Ambrosini
- Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapeutics Unit, Medical Oncology and Hematology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - F de Braud
- Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapeutics Unit, Medical Oncology and Hematology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Oncology and Hemato-oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Di Nicola
- Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapeutics Unit, Medical Oncology and Hematology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Middelburg J, Kemper K, Engelberts P, Labrijn AF, Schuurman J, van Hall T. Overcoming Challenges for CD3-Bispecific Antibody Therapy in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:287. [PMID: 33466732 PMCID: PMC7829968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of cancer with CD3-bispecific antibodies is an approved therapeutic option for some hematological malignancies and is under clinical investigation for solid cancers. However, the treatment of solid tumors faces more pronounced hurdles, such as increased on-target off-tumor toxicities, sparse T-cell infiltration and impaired T-cell quality due to the presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which affect the safety and limit efficacy of CD3-bispecific antibody therapy. In this review, we provide a brief status update of the CD3-bispecific antibody therapy field and identify intrinsic hurdles in solid cancers. Furthermore, we describe potential combinatorial approaches to overcome these challenges in order to generate selective and more effective responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Middelburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Kristel Kemper
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Patrick Engelberts
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Aran F. Labrijn
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Janine Schuurman
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
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Rizzo A, Satta A, Garrone G, Cavalleri A, Napoli A, Raspagliesi F, Figini M, De Cecco L, Iorio E, Tomassetti A, Mezzanzanica D, Bagnoli M. Choline kinase alpha impairment overcomes TRAIL resistance in ovarian cancer cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:5. [PMID: 33390181 PMCID: PMC7780408 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01794-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Choline kinase-α (ChoKα/CHKA) overexpression and hyper-activation sustain altered choline metabolism conferring the cholinic phenotype to epithelial ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecological tumor. We previously proved that CHKA down-modulation reduced OC cell aggressiveness and increased sensitivity to in vitro chemotherapeutics’ treatment also affecting intracellular content of one-carbon metabolites. In tumor types other than ovary, methionine decrease was shown to increase sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-receptor 2 triggering. These effects were suggestive of a potential role for ChoKα in regulating susceptibility to TRAIL cytokine. Methods The relationship between ChoKα/CHKA and TRAIL-receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) expression was investigated in silico in OC patients’ GEO datasets and in vitro in a panel of OC cell lines upon transient CHKA silencing (siCHKA). The effect of siCHKA on metabolites content was assessed by LC-MS. The triggered apoptotic signalling was studied following soluble-TRAIL or anti-TRAIL-R2 agonist antibody treatment. Lipid rafts were isolated by Triton X-100 fractionation. Preclinical ex vivo studies were performed in OC cells derived from patients’ ascites using autologous PBLs as effectors and a bispecific anti-TRAIL-R2/anti-CD3 antibody as triggering agent. Results Here we demonstrate that siCHKA specifically overcomes resistance to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in OC cells. Upon siCHKA we detected: a significant sensitization to caspase-dependent apoptosis triggered by both soluble TRAIL and anti-TRAIL-R2 agonist antibody, a specific increase of TRAIL-R2 expression and TRAIL-R2 relocation into lipid rafts. In siCHKA-OC cells the acquired TRAIL sensitivity was completely reverted upon recovery of ChoKα expression but, at variance of other tumor cell types, TRAIL sensitivity was not efficiently phenocopied by methionine deprivation. Of note, we were also able to show that siCHKA sensitized tumor cells derived ex vivo from OC patients’ ascites to the cytotoxic activity of autologous lymphocytes redirected by a bispecific anti-TRAIL-R2/anti-CD3 antibody. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ChoKα/CHKA impairment, by restoring drug-induced or receptor-mediated cell death, could be a suitable therapeutic strategy to be used in combination with chemotherapeutics or immunomodulators to improve OC patients’ outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rizzo
- Department of Research, Molecular Therapies Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Satta
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Biomarkers Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Garrone
- Department of Research, Epidemiology and prevention Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Present address: UNITECH OMICS Platform, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Adalberto Cavalleri
- Department of Research, Epidemiology and prevention Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Napoli
- Department of Research, Molecular Therapies Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Present address: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Raspagliesi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Biomarkers Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Loris De Cecco
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Integrated Biology Platform, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Egidio Iorio
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Tomassetti
- Department of Research, Molecular Therapies Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Delia Mezzanzanica
- Department of Research, Molecular Therapies Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Marina Bagnoli
- Department of Research, Molecular Therapies Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Martini S, Figini M, Croce A, Frigerio B, Pennati M, Gianni AM, De Marco C, Daidone MG, Argueta C, Landesman Y, Zaffaroni N, Satta A. Selinexor Sensitizes TRAIL-R2-Positive TNBC Cells to the Activity of TRAIL-R2xCD3 Bispecific Antibody. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102231. [PMID: 33023194 PMCID: PMC7599683 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Recent advances in the immunotherapy field have enabled the development of new treatment strategies, among which the use of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), able to redirect T cells against tumors, has shown promising results. In particular, a BsAb that uses TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) as a target was constructed and demonstrated good results in redirecting CD3+ T cells to kill TRAIL-R2-expressing TNBC cells. In the present study, we investigated whether treatment with selinexor, a selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) targeting exportin-1/chromosome maintenance protein 1 (XPO1/CRM1), could potentiate the antitumor activity of this BsAb. In combination experiments, we found that selinexor-exposed TNBC cells exhibited greater growth inhibition when treated with the TRAIL-R2xCD3 BsAb than that expected by simple additivity. Similarly, the apoptosis rate in selinexor/TRAIL-R2xCD3 BsAb-treated TNBC cells was significantly higher than that observed after exposure to either single agent. Together, our results suggest that the combination of selinexor and TRAIL-R2xCD3 BsAb can be a viable anticancer strategy and indicate this treatment as a promising therapeutic option for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Martini
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (B.F.); (C.D.M.); (M.G.D.)
| | - Aurora Croce
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Barbara Frigerio
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (B.F.); (C.D.M.); (M.G.D.)
| | - Marzia Pennati
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Alessandro Massimo Gianni
- Medical Oncology C Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Cinzia De Marco
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (B.F.); (C.D.M.); (M.G.D.)
| | - Maria Grazia Daidone
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (B.F.); (C.D.M.); (M.G.D.)
| | | | - Yosef Landesman
- Karyopharm Therapeutics, Newton, MA 02459, USA; (C.A.); (Y.L.)
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (N.Z.); (A.S.); Tel.: +39-02-23903260 (N.Z.); +39-02-23905110 (A.S.)
| | - Alessandro Satta
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (B.F.); (C.D.M.); (M.G.D.)
- Correspondence: (N.Z.); (A.S.); Tel.: +39-02-23903260 (N.Z.); +39-02-23905110 (A.S.)
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