Int J Oncol 54: 1884-1896, 2019; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4759

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that several of the panels showing flow cytometric assay data in Figs. 2D, 5D and 6E, western blotting data featured in Fig. 7, and certain of the cell migration assay data panels included in Fig. 5E and F and Fig. 6G were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere, or were already under consideration for publication, prior to its submission to International Journal of Oncology, 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.