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Published on: January 10, 2025
Abstract:
Retraction: "Response to dual blockade of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 in nonsmall cell lung cancer may be dependent on the EGFR mutational status of the tumor" by Gadgeel SM, Ali S, Philip PA, Ahmed F, Wozniak A, Sarkar FH. The above article, published in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement amongst the journal Editor in Chief, Fadlo R. Khuri; Wiley Periodicals, Inc.; and the American Cancer Society following an investigation by Wayne State University into the research activities of the second and last authors. The investigation found that masking and other manipulations altered the appearance of certain Western blots published in Figure 1A beyond "cosmetic" changes, and that these alterations changed the results. The investigation further found that there was masking in p-EGFR bands of the H3255 cells in Figure 5A, and found no evidence that the "data" published as non-expressed COX-2 and Akt in the H1650 cells in Figures 5A and 5B are anything other than plain gray boxes. The investigation committee concluded that this undermined the scientific basis of the publication, that no credible replacement data were available, and advised that the publication should be retracted.
Reference:
Gadgeel, S. M., Ali, S., Philip, P. A., Ahmed, F., Wozniak, A. and Sarkar, F. H. (2007), Response to dual blockade of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cycloxygenase-2 in nonsmall cell lung cancer may be dependent on the EGFR mutational status of the tumor. Cancer, 110: 2775-2784. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23100.
Insights
This study on nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) investigated dual blockade of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2. The research was retracted due to data manipulation in Western blots, undermining the scientific basis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment strategies are evolving.
- Targeted therapies, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, have shown promise.
- The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in NSCLC warrants further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of dual blockade of EGFR and COX-2 in NSCLC.
- To determine if the response to this dual blockade is dependent on EGFR mutational status.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Western blots for EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR), COX-2, and Akt.
- Comparison of treatment response based on EGFR mutational status in NSCLC cell lines (H3255 and H1650).
Main Results:
- The original publication reported findings on the response to dual blockade.
- An investigation revealed significant data manipulation, including masking and alteration of Western blot images.
- Specific findings regarding p-EGFR in H3255 cells and expression of COX-2 and Akt in H1650 cells were found to be unsubstantiated.
Conclusions:
- The scientific basis of the publication was undermined by the data manipulation.
- No credible replacement data were available to support the original findings.
- The article was retracted due to serious concerns regarding the integrity of the research data.
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