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Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
[Retracted] miR‑24‑3p regulates bladder cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and autophagy by targeting
Guoqiang Yu1, Zhaohui Jia1, Zhongling Dou1
1Department of Urological Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Following the publication of the above article, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that, regarding the cell migration assay experiments shown in Fig. 3B, the 'miR‑24‑3p inhibitor' panels that had been included to represent the T24 and HBC cell lines contained an overlapping section of data, such that data which were intended to show the results of different experiments had apparently been derived from the same original source. Upon performing an independent analysis of the data in this paper in the Editorial Office, it subsequently came to light that several of the western blot data featured in Fig. 3E were strikingly similar to data that appeared in five other papers (one of which was received earlier than this paper at Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences with no authors held in common); in addition, cell invasion assay data featured in Fig. 2G were also strikingly similar to data which appeared in a pair of subsequently published papers that too featured no authors in common. Given the issue of data sharing and the fact that certain of the western blot data had been included in an article that was already been submitted for publication to another journal, the Editor of Oncology Reports has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal on account of a lack of confidence in the presented data. 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. [Oncology Reports 37: 1123‑1131, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5326].
Insights
This study on cell migration and invasion assays was retracted due to significant data overlap and duplication concerns across multiple figures. The editorial office found evidence suggesting data originated from the same source, leading to a retraction for lack of confidence in the presented findings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology Research
- Molecular Biology
- Scientific Publishing Ethics
Background:
- Concerns were raised regarding data integrity in cell migration and invasion assays.
- Specific figures (3B, 3E, 2G) showed overlapping or strikingly similar data to other publications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address allegations of data duplication and overlap in published research.
- To investigate the validity of presented experimental results.
Main Methods:
- Editorial office conducted an independent analysis of the data.
- Comparison of western blot and cell invasion assay data with previously published studies.
Main Results:
- Identified overlapping data in cell migration assays (Fig. 3B).
- Found western blot data (Fig. 3E) strikingly similar to data in five other papers.
- Observed cell invasion assay data (Fig. 2G) similar to data in two other papers.
Conclusions:
- The paper was retracted from Oncology Reports due to a lack of confidence in the presented data.
- Retraction was based on significant data duplication and sharing concerns.
- Authors did not provide a response to the editorial office's inquiries.
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