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Cholesterol Disruption in Combination With the Standard of Care in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Primary Purpose

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreas Cancer

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Early Phase 1
Locations
Canada
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Cholesterol metabolism disruption
Sponsored by
CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma focused on measuring Statin, Atorvastatin, Lipitor, PCSK9 monoclonal antibody, PCSK9 inhibitor, PCSK9, Evolocumab, Repatha, Alirocumab, Praluent, Lipid droplets and vacuoles, NPC1L1 transporter, HMG Co A reductase, LDL receptor, LRP1 receptor, SRB1 receptor, Lipids, Cancer, Cholesterol, Pancreas cancer, Pancreas/Pancreatic Cancer Metastatics, FOLFIRINOX

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 99 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible to this trial, patients must fulfill the following inclusion criteria:

  1. Have a histologically confirmed, treatment-naive locally advanced and inoperable (LaiPDAC) or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) deemed safely biopsiable, exception made for up to 4 participants were only liver biopsies are mandatory (tumor deemed unsafe for research biopsies) once PDAC diagnosis is confirmed.
  2. Be at least 18 years or older at the time of signing the informed consent.
  3. Have a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks.
  4. Performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale.
  5. Have measurable disease as assessed by RECIST v1.1.
  6. Agrees and amenable to a tumor (optional for up to 4 participants, see Inclusion criteria 1 above) and liver biopsy (all participants) at baseline and on day 42 +/- 3 days. Patient that are anticoagulated at baseline are eligible provided it is deemed safe by the investigator to stop anticoagulation momentarily in order to safely proceed to a biopsy.
  7. Eligible to standard-dose FOLFIRINOX as assessed by the principal investigator or a sub-investigator.
  8. Demonstrate normal organ function as defined below. These assessments must be done within 7 days of Cycle 1 Day-7.

    Hemoglobin (Hb) ≥ 90 g/L Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 x 10 9/L Platelet count ≥ 100 x 10 9/L INR ≤ 1.3 (unless patient is anticoagulated*) aPTT ≤ 1.5 x ULN (switching to LMWH will be recommended) Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN OR Direct bilirubin (for patients with total bilirubin ≥ 1.5 x ULN) AST and ALT ≤ 3 x ULN CPK ≤ 1.5 x ULN Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN OR Estimated GFR (as per institutional standards) ≥ 50 ml/min

  9. Provide written informed consent and able to follow the trial treatment and visit schedule.
  10. For Women Of Child-Bearing Potential (WOCBP), a negative serum pregnancy test must be obtained prior to receiving the study medication.
  11. WOCBP should agree to use 2 different methods of birth control OR abstain from heterosexual intercourse for the duration of the trial and up to 90 days after the last study medication administration.
  12. Male subjects should agree to use an adequate method of contraception for the duration of the trial and up to 90 days after the last study medication administration. Male subjects should refrain from donating sperm during this period.

Exclusion Criteria:

To be eligible to this trial, patients must not fulfill any of the following exclusion criteria:

  1. Locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma deemed operable.
  2. Any pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma deemed operable or borderline operable that can be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
  3. Known additional malignancy that is progressing or that requires treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ bladder or in situ cervical cancer. Other malignancy may be eligible after consultation with the chief investigator.
  4. Spinal cord compression or brain metastases unless treated, stable and not requiring steroids for at least 4 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment.
  5. Baseline myalgia or myositis of any etiology.
  6. Prior treatment with FOLFIRINOX in the adjuvant setting.

5. History of clinically significant intolerance or myositis with any statin.

6. History of clinically significant intolerance or hypersensitivity to PCSK9 inhibitors or ezetimibe.

7. Baseline grade ≥ 2 ULN Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) elevation.

8. Liver tumor burden that is deemed unsafe by the investigator.

9. Major surgery or procedure from which the patient has not yet recovered.

10. Any medical condition that puts the patient at high medical risk, including but not limited to active uncontrolled infection or active bleeding diathesis.

11. Any history of disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, puts liver function at risk including but not limited to autoimmune hepatitis or history of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Screening at baseline for those conditions is not required.

12. Use of any drugs that are contraindicated as per protocol and that cannot be changed or modified to an acceptable alternative.

Sites / Locations

  • CHUMRecruiting
  • CHU de Québec-Université Laval

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Experimental

Arm Label

Multipathway cholesterol metabolism disruption

Arm Description

Twelve to fifteen patients will receive a combination of daily atorvastatin 40 mg, twice daily ezetimibe 10 mg and evolocumab 420 mg subcutaneously every month. This multipathway cholesterol metabolism disruption will be combined to standard chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX).

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Safety as measured by the rate of adverse events
To determine causality and grading severity of each adverse event (AEs) using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.
Characterization of dose-limiting toxicities
To determine the dose at which no more than 1 out of 6 patients experience a drug related dose-limiting toxicity. To confirm that the combination of daily atorvastatin 40 mg, ezetimibe 10 mg twice daily and monthly evolocumab 420 mg meets the criterion to be the recommended phase II dose (RP2D).

Secondary Outcome Measures

LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Assessment of the level of LDLR in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
LRP1 (Low-density lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Assessment of the level of LRP1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
NPC1L1 (Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 protein) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Assessment of the level of NPC1L1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
SRB1 (Scavenger Receptor class B type 1) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Assessment of the level of SRB1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
MHC-1 (Major Histocompatibility Complex class 1) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Assessment of the level of MHC-1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry
PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand-1) changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Assessment of the level of PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand-1) in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Change in tumoral and hepatic levels of TILs (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes)
Assessment of tumoral and hepatic levels of TILs by immunohistochemistry
CD36 (Cluster of Differentiation 36) changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo
Assessment of tumoral and hepatic levels in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.

Full Information

First Posted
April 6, 2021
Last Updated
August 21, 2023
Sponsor
CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval
Collaborators
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Biovalorem
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT04862260
Brief Title
Cholesterol Disruption in Combination With the Standard of Care in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Official Title
A Phase 1 Feasibility Study of Cholesterol Metabolism Reprogramming (Evolocumab, Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe) in Combination With the Standard of Care in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
August 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
October 4, 2021 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
January 31, 2025 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
December 31, 2026 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval
Collaborators
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Biovalorem

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
Yes
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.
Yes
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Cardiovascular diseases and cancers, the two leading causes of death in Canada, require cholesterol to sustain their progression. All cells require cholesterol, but cancer cells have much higher needs to sustain growth, division and metastasis. The availability of new cholesterol-lowering drugs developed to protect patients from heart diseases has resulted in unprecedented low levels of cholesterol. The combination of atorvastatin, ezetimibe and Repatha, which are 3 cholesterol-lowering drugs used in combination, is safe, well tolerated and efficient over years of treatment. Recent reports indicate that abundant cholesterol supplies are required to sustain the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. This proof-of-concept study aims to verify the feasibility, the acceptability and gain preliminary data on adding a cholesterol shortage on top of FOLFIRINOX (standard chemotherapy) in newly diagnosed patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinomas or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinomas. It is expected that a drug-induced cholesterol shortage will slow-down or stop the progression of pancreatic adenocarcinomas while increasing the response to chemotherapy.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreas Cancer, Metastatic Cancer
Keywords
Statin, Atorvastatin, Lipitor, PCSK9 monoclonal antibody, PCSK9 inhibitor, PCSK9, Evolocumab, Repatha, Alirocumab, Praluent, Lipid droplets and vacuoles, NPC1L1 transporter, HMG Co A reductase, LDL receptor, LRP1 receptor, SRB1 receptor, Lipids, Cancer, Cholesterol, Pancreas cancer, Pancreas/Pancreatic Cancer Metastatics, FOLFIRINOX

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Early Phase 1
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
12 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Multipathway cholesterol metabolism disruption
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Twelve to fifteen patients will receive a combination of daily atorvastatin 40 mg, twice daily ezetimibe 10 mg and evolocumab 420 mg subcutaneously every month. This multipathway cholesterol metabolism disruption will be combined to standard chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX).
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Cholesterol metabolism disruption
Other Intervention Name(s)
A combination of a lipophilic statin (Atorvastatin, Lipitor), a NPC1L1 inhibitor (Ezetimibe, Ezetrol) and a PCSK9 inhibitor (Evolocumab, Repatha) with chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer
Intervention Description
Cholesterol metabolism disruption using a combination of atorvastatin, ezetimibe and evolocumab in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinomas
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Safety as measured by the rate of adverse events
Description
To determine causality and grading severity of each adverse event (AEs) using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.
Time Frame
2 years
Title
Characterization of dose-limiting toxicities
Description
To determine the dose at which no more than 1 out of 6 patients experience a drug related dose-limiting toxicity. To confirm that the combination of daily atorvastatin 40 mg, ezetimibe 10 mg twice daily and monthly evolocumab 420 mg meets the criterion to be the recommended phase II dose (RP2D).
Time Frame
2 years
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Description
Assessment of the level of LDLR in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
LRP1 (Low-density lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Description
Assessment of the level of LRP1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
NPC1L1 (Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 protein) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Description
Assessment of the level of NPC1L1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
SRB1 (Scavenger Receptor class B type 1) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Description
Assessment of the level of SRB1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
MHC-1 (Major Histocompatibility Complex class 1) tumoral and hepatic changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Description
Assessment of the level of MHC-1 in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry
Time Frame
1 year
Title
PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand-1) changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo.
Description
Assessment of the level of PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand-1) in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Change in tumoral and hepatic levels of TILs (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes)
Description
Assessment of tumoral and hepatic levels of TILs by immunohistochemistry
Time Frame
1 year
Title
CD36 (Cluster of Differentiation 36) changes in response to the multipathway cholesterol embargo
Description
Assessment of tumoral and hepatic levels in the tumor (hepatic metastasis ) and the liver by immunohistochemistry.
Time Frame
1 year
Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures:
Title
Investigation of changes in the lipid profile induced by the addition of cholesterol-lowering drugs to FOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (mPDAC) patients.
Description
Changes in Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides using serial assessment. All measures are in mmol/L.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Investigation of changes in circulating apo B levels induced by the addition of cholesterol-lowering drugs to FOLFIRINOX in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (mPDAC) patients.
Description
Changes in Apolipoprotein B (g/L) using serial assessment.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Investigation of changes in Apo A1 levels induced by the addition of cholesterol-lowering drugs to FOLFIRINOX in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (mPDAC) patients.
Description
Changes in Apolipoprotein A1 (g/L) using serial assessment.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Investigation of changes in PCSK9 induced by the addition of cholesterol-lowering drugs to FOLFIRINOX in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (mPDAC) patients.
Description
Changes in total, free and phosphorylated PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9, ng/L) levels using serial assessment (measured by mass spectrometry).
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Efficacy as measured by objective response rate
Description
To obtain a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of the combination of cholesterol metabolism disruption and FOLFIRINOX: tumoral response assessment will be centrally Evaluated using RECIST v1.1.
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Efficacy as measured by overall survival
Description
Overall Survival (OS) at 1 year
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Efficacy as measured by progression free survival
Description
Progression Free Survival (PFS) at 1 year
Time Frame
1 year
Title
Investigation of changes in insulin, phytosterols, ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4, ANGPTL8 and Apo C3 levels induced by the addition of cholesterol-lowering drugs to FOLFIRINOX in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (mPDAC) patients.
Description
Changes in insulin, phytosterols, ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4, ANGPTL8 and Apo C3 levels
Time Frame
1 year
Title
To explore the feasibility of a larger multicenter trial
Description
Collect preliminary data permitting to obtain estimates for the feasibility of a larger multicenter trial : Recruitment time Retention and dropout rates Acceptability of the regimen as assessed by patients Dose-limiting toxicities Response of biomarkers RECIST assessment Estimates for overall response rate (ORR) Estimates of progression-free survival (PFS) at 1 year Estimates of median overall survival (mOS) Monitor adverse effects Identification of missing data Identification of barriers to study completion Estimates to guide samples size / power calculation for a larger multicenter trial
Time Frame
1 year

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
99 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible to this trial, patients must fulfill the following inclusion criteria: Have a histologically confirmed, treatment-naive locally advanced and inoperable (LaiPDAC) or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Be at least 18 years or older at the time of signing the informed consent. Have a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks. Performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale. Have measurable disease as assessed by RECIST v1.1. Agrees and amenable to a tumor (if deemed safe only) and liver biopsy (all participants) at baseline and on day 42 +/- 3 days. Patient that are anticoagulated at baseline are eligible provided it is deemed safe by the investigator to stop anticoagulation momentarily in order to safely proceed to a biopsy. Eligible to standard-dose FOLFIRINOX as assessed by the principal investigator or a sub-investigator. FOLFIRINOX doses can be adapted according to SOC. Demonstrate normal organ function as defined below. These assessments must be done within 7 days of Cycle 1 Day-7. Hemoglobin (Hb) ≥ 90 g/L Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 x 10 9/L Platelet count ≥ 100 x 10 9/L INR ≤ 1.3 (unless patient is anticoagulated*) aPTT ≤ 1.5 x ULN (switching to LMWH will be recommended) Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN OR Direct bilirubin (for patients with total bilirubin ≥ 1.5 x ULN) AST and ALT ≤ 3 x ULN CPK ≤ 1.5 x ULN Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN OR Estimated GFR (as per institutional standards) ≥ 50 ml/min Provide written informed consent and able to follow the trial treatment and visit schedule. For Women Of Child-Bearing Potential (WOCBP), a negative serum pregnancy test must be obtained prior to receiving the study medication. WOCBP should agree to use 2 different methods of birth control OR abstain from heterosexual intercourse for the duration of the trial and up to 90 days after the last study medication administration. Male subjects should agree to use an adequate method of contraception for the duration of the trial and up to 90 days after the last study medication administration. Male subjects should refrain from donating sperm during this period. Exclusion Criteria: To be eligible to this trial, patients must not fulfill any of the following exclusion criteria: Locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma deemed operable. Any pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma deemed operable or borderline operable that can be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Known additional malignancy that is progressing or that requires treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ bladder or in situ cervical cancer. Other malignancy may be eligible after consultation with the promotor-investigator. Spinal cord compression or brain metastases unless treated, stable and not requiring steroids for at least 4 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment. Baseline myalgia or myositis of any etiology. Prior treatment with FOLFIRINOX in the adjuvant setting. History of clinically significant intolerance or myositis with any statin. History of clinically significant intolerance or hypersensitivity to PCSK9 inhibitors or ezetimibe. Baseline grade ≥ 2 ULN Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) elevation. Liver tumor burden that is deemed unsafe by the investigator. Major surgery or procedure from which the patient has not yet recovered. Any medical condition that puts the patient at high medical risk, including but not limited to active uncontrolled infection or active bleeding diathesis. Any history of disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, puts liver function at risk including but not limited to autoimmune hepatitis or history of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Screening at baseline for those conditions is not required. Use of any drugs that are contraindicated as per protocol and that cannot be changed or modified to an acceptable alternative. Active smoker. Complete usage of tobacco must have been stopped for at least 3 months. Abnormally low hematocrit, as assessed by the oncologist.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Anne Gangloff, MD PhD FRCPC
Phone
418-525-4444
Ext
47275
Email
anne.gangloff@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Anne Gangloff, MD PhD FRCPC
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Study Chair
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Maxime Chénard-Poirier, MD FRCPC
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Félix Couture, MD FRCPC
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Study Director
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Vincent Castonguay, MD FRCPC
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Study Director
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Olivier Dumas, MD FRCPC
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Study Director
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Anne-Marie Carreau, MD FRCPC
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Study Director
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Frédéric Calon, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Official's Role
Study Director
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Nabil G. Seidah, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal
Official's Role
Study Director
Facility Information:
Facility Name
CHUM
City
Montreal
State/Province
Quebec
ZIP/Postal Code
H2X 0A9
Country
Canada
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Francine Aubin, MD, FRCPC
Phone
514-890-8000
Ext
20688
Email
francine.aubin.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Rahima Jamal, MD, FRCPC
Phone
514-890-8000
Ext
20688
Email
rahima.jamal.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Facility Name
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
City
Quebec city
State/Province
Quebec
ZIP/Postal Code
G1R 2J6
Country
Canada
Individual Site Status
Active, not recruiting

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
Undecided

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Cholesterol Disruption in Combination With the Standard of Care in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

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