Exp Ther Med 13:235–241, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3937

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor’s attention by a concerned reader that certain of the western blotting data shown in Fig. 5 on p. 240 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article written by different authors at different research institutes that had already been published in the journal Molecular Cancer prior to the submission of this paper to Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. In view of the fact that the abovementioned data had already apparently been published previously, the Editor of Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 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.