[Expression of Concern] Antitumor activity of Notch‑1 inhibition in human colorectal carcinoma cells

Wangdi Liao1, Guohua Li1, Yu You1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.

Oncology Reports
|June 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

An investigation is underway regarding potential data reuse in cell morphology experiments. The Editor is examining figure panels for scientific integrity concerns, awaiting author responses.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Scientific Publishing Ethics

Background:

  • Concerns raised by a reader regarding specific figures in a published paper.
  • Potential reuse of data panels ('NC' vs. 'Control') in cell morphology experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address potential issues with scientific integrity.
  • To notify readers of an ongoing investigation into data presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of figures (Fig. 4C, 9B) for data consistency.
  • Contacting authors for explanation of apparent data reuse.
  • Editorial investigation into scientific integrity.

Main Results:

  • Apparent matching of 'NC' data panel in Fig. 4C with 'Control' data panel in Fig. 9B.
  • Images presented at different sizes despite apparent data similarity.

Conclusions:

  • An Expression of Concern has been issued due to potential scientific integrity issues.
  • The investigation is ongoing pending author response.

Related Concept Videos

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...