Oncol Rep 45: [Related article:] 3, 2021; DOI:
10.3892/or.2021.7954
Following the publication of this paper, it was
drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that there
appeared to be a series of internally duplicated groupings/repeated
patternings of cells within various of the panels in the DPP4 row
of data panels in Fig. 8B on p. 14 that could not be easily
attributed to coincidence. Secondly, some of the data panels shown
in the p-Akt row of data in Fig. 8B, in addition to certain of the
data showing the results of EdU assay experiments in Fig. 3B on p.
8, were strikingly similar to data that had either already been
submitted for publication, or which were already published, in
articles in other journals that were written by different authors
at different research institutes (one of which has subsequently
been retracted). Furthermore, there appeared to be one instance of
duplication of western blot data comparing Fig. 5K with Fig. 7, and
also possible discrepancies between the actual sizes and the
reported sizes of the tumours in Fig. 8A.
In view of the fact that the abovementioned data had
already been submitted for publication, or were already published,
elsewhere before this paper was received at Oncology
Reports, in addition to the other problems with the data and
apparent anomalies that have been identified with various of the
figures, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted
from the Journal. After contacting the authors, they accepted the
decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the
readership for any inconvenience caused.
