Oncol Rep 31: [Related article:] 2358–2364, 2014; DOI:
10.3892/or.2014.3107
Subsequently to the publication of the above
article, a concerned reader drew the Editor's attention to the fact
that, comparing the western blot data shown in Fig. 2 on p. 2360
and Figs. 5 and 6 on p. 2363, two of the β-actin control protein
bands appeared to be shared in common between Figs. 2 and 6, and
one of the P21 protein bands in Fig. 6 was strikingly similar to a
Cyclin D1 protein band shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, based on the
appearance of the gels, there appeared to be several breaks in the
continuity of the gel slices between the second and third lanes in
Fig. 6, such that these data were apparently not derived from the
same set of experiments.
Upon consulting the authors in relation to the
unusual features in the abovementioned western blots in this paper,
they were unable to offer a satisfactory explanation to account for
the presentation of these figures (although offering to repeat the
experiments in question). In view of the uncertainties in the
affected data, the Editor of Oncology Reports has decided
that this paper should be retracted from the Journal on account of
a lack of confidence in the data. The authors were asked for an
explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office
did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes for any
inconvenience caused.
