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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane
Published on: February 8, 2020
[Retracted] miR‑660‑5p is associated with cell migration, invasion, proliferation and apoptosis in renal cell
Tao He1, Peijie Chen1, Lu Jin1
1Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Following the publication of the above article, the authors contacted the Editorial Office to explain that a couple of errors concerning data handling/labelling had been made, firstly during the preparation of the representative images in Fig. 3B, resulting in the wrong image being selected for the data panel showing the ACHN cells treated with 'Inhibitor NC' at 0 h experiment, and secondly in Fig. 5A, resulting in the wrong image being selected for the data panel showing the ACHN cells treated with 'Inhibitor NC' experiment. The authors requested that a corrigendum be published to take account of the errors that were made during the preparation of this figure. Subsequently, an independent investigation of the published data was undertaken by the Editorial Office, which revealed that the 'Inhibitor' data panel in Fig. 6A and the 'Mimic NC' data panel in Fig. 6B were also overlapping, such that these data were likely to have been derived from the same original source, even though these data panels were intended to have shown the results from differently performed experiments. The Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports has considered the authors' request to publish a corrigendum, but given the number of overlapping data panels that have been identified and the number of figures that would be in need of correction, the Editor has decided to decline the authors' request to publish a corrigendum on account of an overall lack of confidence in the presented data, and instead has determined that the paper should be retracted. Upon receiving this news from the Editor, the authors accepted the Editor's decision. The Editor apologizes to the readership of the Journal for any inconvenience caused. [Molecular Medicine Reports 17: 2051‑2060, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.8052].
Insights
This study on ACHN cells was retracted due to significant data errors. Overlapping images in multiple figures indicated unreliable experimental results, leading to the paper
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular medicine
- Scientific integrity
Context:
- Errors in data handling and labeling were identified in published figures.
- Specifically, incorrect images were used for ACHN cells treated with 'Inhibitor NC' in Figs. 3B and 5A.
Purpose:
- To address data discrepancies reported by the authors.
- To investigate potential issues with experimental data representation.
Summary:
- An investigation revealed overlapping data panels in Figs. 6A and 6B, suggesting data derivation from a single source.
- These overlaps indicated that differently performed experiments were represented by the same data.
Impact:
- The identified data integrity issues led to a lack of confidence in the presented findings.
- Consequently, the Editor decided to retract the publication rather than issue a corrigendum.
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