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Huang T, Leung B, Huang Y, Price L, Gui J, Lau BW. A murine model to evaluate immunotherapy effectiveness for human Fanconi anemia-mutated acute myeloid leukemia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0292375. [PMID: 38289944 PMCID: PMC10826936 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Fanconi anemia (FA)-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a secondary AML with very poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options due to increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors upregulate T-cell killing of cancer cells and is a class of promising treatment for FA-AML. Here, we developed a novel FA-AML murine model that allows the study of human AML with a humanized immune system in order to investigate immunotherapeutic treatments in vivo. FA-AML1 cells and non-FA-mutated Kasumi-1 cells were injected into 8-10 week old NSG mice. Once leukemic engraftment was confirmed by HLA-DR expression in the peripheral blood, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) were injected into the mice. One week post-hPBMCs injection, Nivolumab (PD-1 inhibitor) or PBS vehicle control was administered to the mice bi-weekly. In our Nivolumab treated mice, FA-AML1, but not Kasumi-1-engrafted mice, had significantly prolonged overall survival. Both FA-AML1 and Kasumi-1 engrafted mice had decreased spleen weights. Higher leukemic infiltration into vital organs was observed in FA-AML1 engrafted mice compared to Kasumi-1 engrafted mice. In conclusion, our novel humanized murine model of FA-mutated AML is an attractive tool for supporting further studies and clinical trials using PD-1 inhibitors to treat FA-mutated AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Huang
- Dartmouth Health Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States of America
| | - Bernice Leung
- Dartmouth Health Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States of America
| | - Yuyang Huang
- Dartmouth Health Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States of America
| | - Laura Price
- Dartmouth Health Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States of America
| | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States of America
| | - Bonnie W. Lau
- Dartmouth Health Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States of America
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Chuprin J, Buettner H, Seedhom MO, Greiner DL, Keck JG, Ishikawa F, Shultz LD, Brehm MA. Humanized mouse models for immuno-oncology research. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:192-206. [PMID: 36635480 PMCID: PMC10593256 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00721-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment paradigm for many malignancies and is transforming the drug development landscape. Although immunotherapeutic agents have demonstrated clinical efficacy, they are associated with variable clinical responses, and substantial gaps remain in our understanding of their mechanisms of action and specific biomarkers of response. Currently, the number of preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate interactions between the human immune system and tumours and enable evaluation of human-specific immunotherapies in vivo is limited. Humanized mice, a term that refers to immunodeficient mice co-engrafted with human tumours and immune components, provide several advantages for immuno-oncology research. In this Review, we discuss the benefits and challenges of the currently available humanized mice, including specific interactions between engrafted human tumours and immune components, the development and survival of human innate immune populations in these mice, and approaches to study mice engrafted with matched patient tumours and immune cells. We highlight the latest advances in the generation of humanized mouse models, with the aim of providing a guide for their application to immuno-oncology studies with potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Chuprin
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Buettner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mina O Seedhom
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dale L Greiner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Michael A Brehm
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare and challenging type of myeloproliferative neoplasm. Poor prognosis and high mortality, associated predominantly with progression to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML), is still an unsolved problem. Despite a growing body of knowledge about the molecular repertoire of this disease, at present, the prognostic significance of CMML-associated mutations is controversial. The absence of available CMML cell lines and the small number of patients with CMML make pre-clinical testing and clinical trials complicated. Currently, specific therapy for CMML has not been approved; most of the currently available therapeutic approaches are based on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and other myeloproliferative neoplasm (MNP) studies. In this regard, the development of the robust CMML animal models is currently the focus of interest. This review describes important studies concerning animal models of CMML, examples of methodological approaches, and the obtained hematologic phenotypes.
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Abstract
Patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a poor prognosis and treatment remains challenging. For the majority of r/r patients, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment approach. Salvage therapy is given in order to reduce the leukemia load prior to transplantation. Patients achieving complete remission prior to allogeneic HSCT have a more favorable outcome. Intensive salvage regimens commonly consist of an anthracycline and high-dose cytarabine backbone. Donor lymphocyte infusions have shown efficacy in patients relapsing after allogeneic HSCT. For patients who cannot be intensively treated (eg, elderly AML patients), outcome is generally very poor and combinations with novel agents are currently under investigation. Mutational analysis should be repeated at the time of relapse to identify aberrations that can be targeted with new agents. For r/r AML patients with mutated fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), gilteritinib has shown superior results to intensive salvage regimens. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved gilteritinib for FLT3 mutated r/r AML patients. Ivosidenib and enasidenib, inhibitors for mutated isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2, respectively, have received approval for IDH1/IDH2 mutated r/r AML by the FDA (not EMA). APR-246 restores the function of mutated TP53 and early study results are promising. Other agents targeting CD47, menin, neural-precursor-cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated 8, as well as bispecific antibodies or chimeric antigen receptor T cells are under investigation. Further trials are needed to understand how to best combine novel agents with each other or with chemotherapy.
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Sheng XF, Hong LL, Li H, Huang FY, Wen Q, Zhuang HF. Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 modulate cell migration, proliferation and apoptosis by sponging microRNA-146a to regulate CXCR4 expression in acute myeloid leukemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26:43-52. [PMID: 33382018 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2020.1867781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and analyze the potential regulatory network of MALAT1/miR-146a/ CXCR4. METHODS The expressions of MALAT1, miR-146a and CXCR4 were performed by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. We conducted trans-well assay, CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry to evaluate the migration, proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells. Also by using luciferase reporter assay, we investigated the interaction between miR-146a and MALAT1 or CXCR4. RESULTS Firstly, MALAT1 and CXCR4 were upregulated while miR-146a was downregulated in AML patients compared with healthy controls. We observed a negative correlation between miR-146a and MALAT1 or CXCR4, but a positive correlation between MALAT1 and CXCR4 in AML patients. MALAT1 knockdown inhibited migration and proliferation but induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells. MALAT1 restrained miR-146a expression by acting as a ceRNA. miR-146a regulated HL-60 cells migration, proliferation and apoptosis by directly targeting CXCR4 expression. Finally, we found that CXCR4 expression was downregulated by MALAT1 knockdown and partially restored by miR-146a abrogation. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that MALAT1 regulates migration, proliferation and apoptosis by sponging miR-146a to regulate CXCR4 expression in AML cells, providing novel insights into the role of MALAT1 as a therapeutic target in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Fu Sheng
- The department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Li Hong
- The department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- The department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei-Yan Huang
- The department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Wen
- The department of Cancer, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Feng Zhuang
- The department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Alsufyani A, Alanazi R, Woolley JF, Dahal LN. Old Dog, New Trick: Type I IFN-Based Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:753-756. [PMID: 33500358 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite strong biological rationale for the use of type-I IFNs for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), their usage is limited to few hematologic malignancies. Here, we propose that innate immune sensing machinery, particularly the stimulator of IFN genes pathway, may be exploited to deliver antileukemic effects in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alsufyani
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
| | - Rehab Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
| | - John F Woolley
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
| | - Lekh N Dahal
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom. .,MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
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Ganesan K, Jayachandran M, Xu B. Diet-Derived Phytochemicals Targeting Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3976. [PMID: 32492917 PMCID: PMC7312951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal disease caused by the uncontrolled propagation and endurance of atypical colon cells. A person's lifestyle and eating pattern have significant impacts on the CRC in a positive and/or negative way. Diet-derived phytochemicals modulate the microbiome as well as targeting colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are found to offer significant protective effects against CRC, which were organized in an appropriate spot on the paper. All information on dietary phytochemicals, gut microbiome, CSCs, and their influence on CRC were accessed from the various databases and electronic search engines. The effectiveness of CRC can be reduced using various dietary phytochemicals or modulating microbiome that reduces or inverses the progression of a tumor as well as CSCs, which could be a promising and efficient way to reduce the burden of CRC. Phytochemicals with modulation of gut microbiome continue to be auspicious investigations in CRC through noticeable anti-tumorigenic effects and goals to CSCs, which provides new openings for cancer inhibition and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Ganesan
- Food Science and Technology Programme, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai 519087, China; (K.G.); (M.J.)
- Laboratory and Clinical Research Institute for Pain, Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Muthukumaran Jayachandran
- Food Science and Technology Programme, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai 519087, China; (K.G.); (M.J.)
| | - Baojun Xu
- Food Science and Technology Programme, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai 519087, China; (K.G.); (M.J.)
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An Auristatin nanoconjugate targeting CXCR4+ leukemic cells blocks acute myeloid leukemia dissemination. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:36. [PMID: 32295630 PMCID: PMC7160905 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Current acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy fails to eliminate quiescent leukemic blasts in the bone marrow, leading to about 50% of patient relapse by increasing AML burden in the bone marrow, blood, and extramedullar sites. We developed a protein-based nanoparticle conjugated to the potent antimitotic agent Auristatin E that selectively targets AML blasts because of their CXCR4 receptor overexpression (CXCR4+) as compared to normal cells. The therapeutic rationale is based on the involvement of CXCR4 overexpression in leukemic blast homing and quiescence in the bone marrow, and the association of these leukemic stem cells with minimal residual disease, dissemination, chemotherapy resistance, and lower patient survival. Methods Monomethyl Auristatin E (MMAE) was conjugated with the CXCR4 targeted protein nanoparticle T22-GFP-H6 produced in E. coli. Nanoconjugate internalization and in vitro cell viability assays were performed in CXCR4+ AML cell lines to analyze the specific antineoplastic activity through the CXCR4 receptor. In addition, a disseminated AML animal model was used to evaluate the anticancer effect of T22-GFP-H6-Auristatin in immunosuppressed NSG mice (n = 10/group). U of Mann-Whitney test was used to consider if differences were significant between groups. Results T22-GFP-H6-Auristatin was capable to internalize and exert antineoplastic effects through the CXCR4 receptor in THP-1 and SKM-1 CXCR4+ AML cell lines. In addition, repeated administration of the T22-GFP-H6-Auristatin nanoconjugate (9 doses daily) achieves a potent antineoplastic activity by internalizing specifically in the leukemic cells (luminescent THP-1) to selectively eliminate them. This leads to reduced involvement of leukemic cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, liver, and spleen, while avoiding toxicity in normal tissues in a luminescent disseminated AML mouse model. Conclusions A novel nanoconjugate for targeted drug delivery of Auristatin reduces significantly the acute myeloid leukemic cell burden in the bone marrow and blood and blocks its dissemination to extramedullar organs in a CXCR4+ AML model. This selective drug delivery approach validates CXCR4+ AML cells as a target for clinical therapy, not only promising to improve the control of leukemic dissemination but also dramatically reducing the severe toxicity of classical AML therapy.
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Misra R, Kandoi S, Varadaraj S, Vijayalakshmi S, Nanda A, Verma RS. Nanotheranostics: A tactic for cancer stem cells prognosis and management. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2019.101457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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10
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Wang SL, Huang Y, Su R, Yu YY. Silencing long non-coding RNA HOTAIR exerts anti-oncogenic effect on human acute myeloid leukemia via demethylation of HOXA5 by inhibiting Dnmt3b. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:114. [PMID: 31168296 PMCID: PMC6489230 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0808-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As an aggressive hematological malignancy, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a dismal disease with poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely reported to be involved in tumorigenesis of AML. Here, we define an important role of lncRNA HOTAIR in AML in relation to HOXA5 methylation. Methods Firstly, the expression of HOTAIR was examined in AML samples and cells collected. Next, gain- or loss-of function experiments were conducted in AML cells to explore the effect of HOTAIR on AML. Then, relationship among HOXA5 promoter methylation, HOTAIR and Dnmt3b was measured. Expression of HOXA5 and cell proliferation/apoptosis-related genes was also detected. A last, in vivo assay was performed to assess the tumor formation in nude mice in order to explore the roles of HOTAIR and HOXA5 in cell apoptosis and proliferation. Results LncRNA HOTAIR was found to be upregulated in AML cells and tissues. With silencing of HOTAIR and overexpression of HOXA5, AML cell proliferation was decreased while the apoptosis was induced. Furthermore, HOTAIR was observed to recruit Dnmt3b and to increase HOXA5 promoter methylation. Moreover, silencing HOTAIR and upregulating HOXA5 were found to induce apoptosis and reduce proliferation of AML cells in vivo. Conclusion Our findings highlight the anti-tumor ability of HOTAIR silencing in AML, suggesting that silencing HOTAIR was able to inhibit AML progression through HOXA5 promoter demethylation by decreasing Dnmt3b. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-019-0808-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Li Wang
- 1Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, No. 55, Zhenhai Road, Xiamen, 361003 Fujian People's Republic of China.,2Department of Clinical Medicines, Fujian Medical University, No. 1, Xuefu North Road, Fuzhou, 350108 Fujian People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Huang
- 1Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, No. 55, Zhenhai Road, Xiamen, 361003 Fujian People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Su
- 1Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, No. 55, Zhenhai Road, Xiamen, 361003 Fujian People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Yang Yu
- 3Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003 People's Republic of China
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Behrmann L, Wellbrock J, Fiedler W. Acute Myeloid Leukemia and the Bone Marrow Niche-Take a Closer Look. Front Oncol 2018; 8:444. [PMID: 30370251 PMCID: PMC6195156 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow is the home of hematopoiesis and is therefore a hotspot for the development of hematopoietic diseases. Complex interactions between the bone marrow microenvironment and hematopoietic stem cells must find a balance between proliferation, differentiation and homeostasis of the stem cell compartment. Changes in this tightly regulated network can provoke malignant transformation, leading to hematopoietic diseases. Here we focus on acute myeloid leukemia (AML), since this is the most frequent acute leukemia in adulthood with very poor overall survival rates and where relapse after chemotherapy continues to be a major challenge, driving demand for new therapeutic strategies. Current research is focusing on the identification of specific interactions between leukemic blasts and their niche components, which may be exploited as novel treatment targets along with induction chemotherapy. Significant progress has been gained over the last few years in the field of high-resolution imaging. Confocal ex vivo and intravital microscopy have revealed a detailed map of bone marrow structures and components; as well as identifying numerous alterations in the stem cell niche that correspond to disease progression. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood and due to the complexity, their elucidation remains a challenging. This review discusses the constitution of the AML niche in the bone marrow, the improvement in visualization of the complex three-dimensional niche structures and points out new therapeutic strategies to increase the overall survival of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Behrmann
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Wellbrock
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Walter Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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