Exp Ther Med 18:1729–1737, 2019; DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7722

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors’ attention by a concerned reader that the Transwell cell flow cytometric assay data shown in Fig. 2B on p. 1733 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in a pair of other articles written by different authors at different research institutes that had already been published elsewhere 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.