Oncol Lett 16: [Related article:] 5113-5121, 2018; DOI:
10.3892/ol.2018.9268
Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn
to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the three data
panels showing the results of cell invasion and migration assay
experiments in Figs. 2C and D on p. 5116 and 4H on p. 5118
contained multiple overlapping sections, both within the same data
panels and comparing across the three figure parts, such that data
which were intended to have shown the results from differently
performed experiments had been derived from a much smaller number
of sources. In addition (and among further problems), a concern was
raised that the p16 antibody that the authors reported to have used
(cat. no. ab51243) is specific for the protein known as P16 ARC (or
ARPC5), not the apoptosis-associated protein p16INK4a, as intended.
Furthermore, an independent analysis of the data in this paper
undertaken by the Editorial Office revealed that there were also
duplicated western blots featured within Fig. 4B, and that data in
Fig. 4B, and also histological images in Figs. 1C and 5D, were
strikingly similar to data that had already been published, or were
already under consideration for publication, in a number of other
articles submitted to different journals by different research
groups at different research institutes.
Given that the contentious data named above had
already been published prior to the receipt of this paper at
Oncology Letters, and also considering the multiple
instances of data having been assembled incorrectly in various of
the figures, the Editor has decided that this paper should be
retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an
explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office
did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership
for any inconvenience caused.
