Oncol Rep 37: [Related article:] 155–162, 2017; DOI:
10.3892/or.2016.5263
Following the publication of the above paper, it was
drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that a
section of the western blot image for β-actin in Fig. 1B on p. 157
had also been used for the control β-actin blots in Fig. 3C on p.
159, despite these data having come from different sources (Fig. 1:
CD133- ovarian cancer cells compared with Fig. 3:
CD133+ ovarian cancer stem cells infected with
recombinant adenovirus). In addition, upon performing an
independent analysis of the data in this paper in the Editorial
Office, it also came to light that, regarding the TUNEL assay
experiments shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the data shown for panel ‘1’ in
Fig. 2D was strikingly similar to that shown for the ‘Blank’ panel
in Fig. 4C, even though the experimental conditions in these
figures were reported to be different.
The authors have been contacted by the Editorial
Office to offer an explanation for this apparent duplication of
data within these figures, and we are waiting their response. Owing
to the fact that the Editorial Office has been made aware of
potential issues surrounding the scientific integrity of this
paper, we are issuing an Expression of Concern to notify readers of
these potential problems while the Editorial Office continues to
investigate this matter further.
