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Costa MC, Angelini C, Franzese M, Iside C, Salvatore M, Laezza L, Napolitano F, Ceccarelli M. Identification of therapeutic targets in osteoarthritis by combining heterogeneous transcriptional datasets, drug-induced expression profiles, and known drug-target interactions. J Transl Med 2024; 22:281. [PMID: 38491514 PMCID: PMC10941480 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05006-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial, hypertrophic, and degenerative condition involving the whole joint and affecting a high percentage of middle-aged people. It is due to a combination of factors, although the pivotal mechanisms underlying the disease are still obscure. Moreover, current treatments are still poorly effective, and patients experience a painful and degenerative disease course. METHODS We used an integrative approach that led us to extract a consensus signature from a meta-analysis of three different OA cohorts. We performed a network-based drug prioritization to detect the most relevant drugs targeting these genes and validated in vitro the most promising candidates. We also proposed a risk score based on a minimal set of genes to predict the OA clinical stage from RNA-Seq data. RESULTS We derived a consensus signature of 44 genes that we validated on an independent dataset. Using network analysis, we identified Resveratrol, Tenoxicam, Benzbromarone, Pirinixic Acid, and Mesalazine as putative drugs of interest for therapeutics in OA for anti-inflammatory properties. We also derived a list of seven gene-targets validated with functional RT-qPCR assays, confirming the in silico predictions. Finally, we identified a predictive subset of genes composed of DNER, TNFSF11, THBS3, LOXL3, TSPAN2, DYSF, ASPN and HTRA1 to compute the patient's risk score. We validated this risk score on an independent dataset with a high AUC (0.875) and compared it with the same approach computed using the entire consensus signature (AUC 0.922). CONCLUSIONS The consensus signature highlights crucial mechanisms for disease progression. Moreover, these genes were associated with several candidate drugs that could represent potential innovative therapeutics. Furthermore, the patient's risk scores can be used in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Claudia Costa
- Biogem s.c.ar.l, Ariano Irpino, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell'Informazione, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Angelini
- Istituto per le Applicazioni del Calcolo, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Luigi Laezza
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell'Informazione, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Francesco Napolitano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Benevento, Italy
| | - Michele Ceccarelli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell'Informazione, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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Iside C, Affinito O, Punzo B, Salvatore M, Mirabelli P, Cavaliere C, Franzese M. Stratification of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease by Circulating Cytokines Profile: A Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6649. [PMID: 37892788 PMCID: PMC10607348 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a long-term inflammatory process, with atherosclerosis as its underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Endothelial dysfunction is the first step towards atherosclerosis, where damaged endothelial cells release large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, thus promoting vascular inflammation and disease progression. However, the correlation between serum cytokines and CAD severity remains to be defined. Serum samples from patients performing cardiac computed tomography for suspected CAD (n = 75) were analyzed with a multiplex bead-based immunoassay panel for simultaneous assessment of the concentration of 11 cytokines using flow cytometric technology. The analysis showed statistically significant increases in sRAGE, CCL2_MCP1, FLT1, and IL6 levels in CAD patients compared with healthy subjects and a gradual increase trend towards a more severe form of the disease for most cytokines (e.g., sCD40L, FLT1, sRAGE, CCL2-MCP1, TNFα). Lastly, we explored the performance of cytokines in predicting the diagnosis of CAD and found that an increase in IL6 levels will increase the odds of being non-obstructive CAD-positive. In contrast, an increase in CCL2-MCP1 or FLT1 levels will increase the probability of being obstructive CAD-positive. These results suggest that the combination of serum cytokines may contribute to the not-invasive stratification risk for patients with suspected CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Iside
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Ornella Affinito
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruna Punzo
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Peppino Mirabelli
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, AORN, 80122 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Franzese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
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Buono L, Iside C, Pecoraro G, De Matteo A, Beneduce G, Penta de Vera d'Aragona R, Parasole R, Mirabelli P, Vitagliano L, Salvatore M, Smaldone G. A Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression Profiles of KCTD Proteins in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Evidence of Selective Expression of KCTD1 in T-ALL. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113669. [PMID: 37297863 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer. In most cases, this disease results from the malignant transformation of either the B-cell (B-ALL) or, less frequently, T-cell progenitors (T-ALL). Recently, a marked overexpression of KCTD15, a member of the emerging class of the potassium (K) channel tetramerization domain-containing proteins (KCTDs) has been detected in both patients and continuous cell lines as in vitro model systems. Because there is growing evidence of the key, yet diversified, roles played by KCTDs in cancers, we here report an exhaustive analysis of their expression profiles in both B-ALL and T-ALL patients. Although for most KCTDs, no significant alterations were found in these pathological states, for some members of the family, significant up- and down-regulations were detected in comparison with the values found in healthy subjects in the transcriptome analysis. Among these, particularly relevant is the upregulation of the closely related KCTD1 and KCTD15 in T-ALL patients. Interestingly, KCTD1 is barely expressed in both unaffected controls and B-ALL patients. Therefore, not only does this analysis represent the first study in which the dysregulation of all KCTDs is simultaneously evaluated in specific pathological contexts, but it also provides a promising T-ALL biomarker that could be suitable for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Buono
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Iside
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antonia De Matteo
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, 80122 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Beneduce
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, 80122 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Rosanna Parasole
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, 80122 Naples, Italy
| | - Peppino Mirabelli
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, 80122 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, C.N.R., 80134 Napoli, Italy
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Carrizzo A, Iside C, Nebbioso A, Carafa V, Damato A, Ciccarelli M, Venturini E, Di Pietro P, Trimarco B, Selleri C, Altucci L, Vecchione C. 763 ACTIVATION OF SIRT1 ATTENUATES VASCULAR DYSFUNCTION AND THROMBOSIS IN MTHFR DEFICIENCY. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suac121.754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Beyond well-assessed risk factors, cardiovascular events could be also associated with the presence of epigenetic and genetic alterations, such as the methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism. This gene variant is related to increased circulating levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and cardiovascular risk. However, heterozygous carriers have an augmented risk of cardiovascular accidents independently from normal Hcy levels, suggesting the presence of additional deregulated processes in MTHFR C677T carriers. Here we hypothesize that targeting Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) could be an alternative mechanism to control the cardiovascular risk associated to MTHFR deficiency condition.
Flow Mediated Dilatation (FMD) and light transmission aggregometry assay were performed in subjects carrying MTHFR C677T allele after administration of resveratrol, the most powerful natural clinical usable compound that owns SIRT1 activating properties. MTHFR C677T carriers with normal Hcy levels revealed endothelial dysfunction and enhanced platelet aggregation associated with SIRT1 downregulation. SIRT1 activity stimulation by resveratrol intake was able to override these abnormalities without affecting Hcy levels.
Impaired endothelial function, bleeding time, and wire-induced thrombus formation were rescued in a heterozygous Mthfr-deficient (Mthfr+/-) mouse model after resveratrol treatment. Using a cell-based high-throughput multiplexed screening (HTS) assay, a novel selective synthetic SIRT1 activator, namely ISIDE11, was identified. Ex vivo and in vivo treatment of Mthfr+/- mice with ISIDE11 rescues endothelial vasorelaxation and reduces wire-induced thrombus formation, effects that were abolished by SIRT1 inhibitor. Moreover, platelets from MTHFR C677T allele carriers treated with ISIDE11 showed normalization of their typical hyper-reactivity.
These results candidate SIRT1 activation as a new therapeutic strategy to contain cardio and cerebrovascular events in MTHFR carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albino Carrizzo
- Department Of Medicine, Surgery And Dentistry, University Of Salerno , Baronissi , Italy
- Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed , Pozzilli , Italy
| | | | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department Of Precision Medicine, University Of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Naples , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Carafa
- Department Of Precision Medicine, University Of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Naples , Italy
| | - Antonio Damato
- Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed , Pozzilli , Italy
| | - Michele Ciccarelli
- Department Of Medicine, Surgery And Dentistry, University Of Salerno , Baronissi , Italy
| | | | - Paola Di Pietro
- Department Of Medicine, Surgery And Dentistry, University Of Salerno , Baronissi , Italy
| | - Bruno Trimarco
- International Translational Research And Medical Education (Itme) Consortium And Department Of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico Ii University , Naples , Italy
| | - Carmine Selleri
- Department Of Medicine, Surgery And Dentistry, University Of Salerno , Baronissi , Italy
- University Hospital , San Giovanni Di Dio E Ruggi D’aragona, Salerno , Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department Of Precision Medicine, University Of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Naples , Italy
- Biogem, Institute Of Molecular Biology And Genetics , Ariano Irpino , Italy
| | - Carmine Vecchione
- Department Of Medicine, Surgery And Dentistry, University Of Salerno , Baronissi , Italy
- Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed , Pozzilli , Italy
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Buono L, Iside C, De Matteo A, Stellato P, Beneduce G, de Vera d’Aragona RP, Parasole R, Salvatore M, Smaldone G, Mirabelli P. Specific lncRNA signatures discriminate childhood acute leukaemias: a pilot study. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:373. [PMID: 36451206 PMCID: PMC9710039 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02789-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs are RNAs longer than 200 bps that do not encode any proteins and are able to alter gene expression by acting on different steps of regulation, including DNA methylation and chromatin structure. They represent a class of biomarkers of crescent interest in the hematologic and oncologic fields. Recent studies showed that the expression levels of specific lncRNAs correlate with the prognosis of paediatric patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. METHODS We used NGS approaches to analyse the transcriptome of 9 childhood B-ALL patients and 6 childhood T-ALL patients, in comparison with B and T healthy lymphocytes from cord blood. We validate our findings both ex vivo, in a different cohort of 10 B-ALL and 10 T-ALL patients, and in silico using public datasets. RESULTS We characterised the lncRNA landscape for B-ALL, T-ALL, healthy B, and T cell progenitors. From the characterised signature, we selected candidate lncRNAs able to discriminate not only B-ALL and T-ALL from healthy subjects but also between the two types of leukaemia, and subsequently validated their potential as a diagnostic tool in an additional cohort of paediatric patients. We confirmed our finding with open access transcriptomic data, comparing ALL lncRNAs with AML lncRNA landscape as well. Finally, expression correlation analyses of T-ALL selected lncRNA biomarkers suggested a possible role in lymphocyte activation and the β-catenin signalling pathway for AC247036.1 and involvement in hedgehog signalling for HHIP-AS1. CONCLUSIONS Our work identified a lncRNA signature discriminating paediatric B-ALL and T-ALL from healthy subjects, between them and from AML. This study provides the keystone to future clinical studies determining the theragnostic value of the characterised long non coding transcriptome panorama in a clinical setting for childhood patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Buono
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80413 Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Iside
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80413 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonia De Matteo
- grid.415247.10000 0004 1756 8081Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
| | - Pio Stellato
- grid.415247.10000 0004 1756 8081Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Beneduce
- grid.415247.10000 0004 1756 8081Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Rosanna Parasole
- grid.415247.10000 0004 1756 8081Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
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Abstract
Sirtuins are class III histone deacetylases, whose enzymatic activity is dependent on NAD+ as a cofactor. Sirtuins are reported to modulate numerous activities by controlling gene expression, DNA repair, metabolism, oxidative stress response, mitochondrial function, and biogenesis. Deregulation of their expression and/or action may lead to tissue-specific degenerative events involved in the development of several human pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. The most studied member of this class of enzymes is sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), whose expression is associated with increasing insulin sensitivity. SIRT1 has been implicated in both tumorigenic and anticancer processes, and is reported to regulate essential metabolic pathways, suggesting that its activation might be beneficial against disorders of the metabolism. Via regulation of p53 deacetylation and modulation of autophagy, SIRT1 is implicated in cellular response to caloric restriction and lifespan extension. In recent years, scientific interest focusing on the identification of SIRT1 modulators has led to the discovery of novel small molecules targeting SIRT1 activity. This review will examine compounds of natural origin recently found to upregulate SIRT1 activity, such as polyphenolic products in fruits, vegetables, and plants including resveratrol, fisetin, quercetin, and curcumin. We will also discuss the potential therapeutic effects of these natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of human disorders, with particular emphasis on their metabolic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Iside
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Scafuro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Bontempo P, De Masi L, Carafa V, Rigano D, Scisciola L, Iside C, Grassi R, Molinari AM, Aversano R, Nebbioso A, Carputo D, Altucci L. Anticancer activities of anthocyanin extract from genotyped Solanum tuberosum L. “Vitelotte”. J Funct Foods 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2015.09.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
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Benedetti R, Conte M, Iside C, Altucci L. Epigenetic-based therapy: From single- to multi-target approaches. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 69:121-31. [PMID: 26494003 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of cancer has traditionally been based on the identification of a single molecule and/or enzymatic function (target) responsible for a particular phenotype, and therefore on the ability to stimulate, attenuate or inhibit its activity through the use of selective compounds. However, cancer is no longer considered a disease caused by a single factor, but is now recognized as a multi-factorial disorder. Genetic, epigenetic and metabolic factors all contribute to neoplasia, causing significant changes in molecular networks that govern cell growth, development, death and specialization. Consequently, many antitumor therapies are no longer directed against a single target but the biological system as a whole, in which functions determining the onset and maintenance of a physio-pathological state are modulated. The field of epi-drug discovery is currently in a transitional phase where the search for putative anticancer drugs is shifting from single-target-oriented molecules to network-active compounds and to epi-drugs used in combination with other epi-agents and with traditional chemotherapeutics. This review illustrates the pros and cons of each therapeutic option, providing examples in support of single-target and multi (network)-target epi-drug approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Benedetti
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università di Napoli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Mariarosaria Conte
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università di Napoli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Concetta Iside
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università di Napoli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università di Napoli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Napoli, Italy; Istituto di Genetica e Biofisica, Adriano Buzzati Traverso, CNR-IGB, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
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Nebbioso A, Benedetti R, Conte M, Iside C, Altucci L. Genetic mutations in epigenetic modifiers as therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19:1187-202. [PMID: 26028314 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2015.1051728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite enormous insights into the molecular mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathophysiology, this disease is still fatal in the majority of patients, highlighting the urgent need for novel biomarkers useful in AML prognosis and therapy. AREAS COVERED The advent of modern sequencing technologies has allowed the identification of genetic mutations in genes encoding for specific enzymes involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The authors review recent data demonstrating the involvement of mutations in genes encoding for epigenetic players and their complex combination with somatic genetic mutations in the pathogenesis of AML. They also discuss the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these findings. EXPERT OPINION Current clinical and preclinical studies are underscoring the importance of targeting epigenetic modifiers as new biomarkers for a better prognostic risk stratification and therapeutic evaluation of intermediate-risk patients. Combining data from traditional and modern methodologies will allow a definition of the complex networks of epigenetic changes and molecular interactions between candidate epitargets and key regulators of hematopoiesis. It will thus be possible to achieve an overview of potential aberrant mechanisms driving leukemogenesis in different classes of AML patients. Such an improved approach could pave the way towards 'personalized' therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples , Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples , Italy
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