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Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
[Retracted] miR‑592 functions as a tumor suppressor in human non‑small cell lung cancer by targeting SOX9
Zhihong Li1, Bai Li2, Liang Niu3
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Following the publication of the above paper, the authors submitted a request to the Editorial Office to publish a corrigendum in light of a concern regarding potential contamination of their cells during the course of performing the experiments; at the same time, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the colony‑formation assay data shown in Fig. 2C were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication prior to its submission to Oncology Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Oncology Reports 37: 297-304, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5275].
Insights
This study on cancer research was retracted due to concerns about experimental cell contamination and data duplication in colony-formation assays. The findings are therefore invalid and should not be cited.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Scientific Publishing Ethics
Context:
- A previously published study in Oncology Reports faced scrutiny regarding experimental procedures and data integrity.
- Concerns included potential cell contamination during experiments and similarities between presented data and previously published findings.
Purpose:
- To address reported issues of potential cell contamination and data duplication.
- To investigate the validity of colony-formation assay data presented in Fig. 2C.
- To ensure the integrity of published scientific literature.
Summary:
- The authors requested a corrigendum due to concerns about cell contamination.
- A reader alerted editors to strikingly similar colony-formation assay data in another publication.
- The contentious data was under consideration prior to submission, leading to retraction.
Impact:
- The paper has been officially retracted from the Journal.
- This action upholds scientific integrity and corrects the scientific record.
- Retraction prevents the dissemination of potentially flawed or misrepresented research findings.
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