Xuefang Z, Ruinian Z, Liji J, Chun Z, Qiaolan Z, Jun J, Yuming C, Junrong H. miR-331-3p Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Targeting elf4B-PI3K-AKT Pathway. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. January 2020: 19. doi.org/10.1177/1533033819892251
Following article publication, the authors contacted the journal editorial office to request that the article be withdrawn from publication because they wanted to supplement the article with additional novel findings.
Upon further investigation, the following image duplications were found:
Figure 3B PARP panel NC and miR-331-3p PARP lanes appear highly similar to the Supplementary Figure 1 Eif4B panel.
Figure 5A GAPDH panel Control and NC lanes appear highly similar to Figure 5B p-PI3K panel Control and NC lanes.
Figure 5B GAPDH panel NC and miR-331-3p lanes appear highly similar to the Supplementary Figure 1 PI3K panel “Tumor and Normal” PI3K bands.
The authors did not respond to journal requests for details regarding their article or regarding the image duplications. Due to questions about the data presented in the article, the findings in the article are unreliable. The Executive Editor of Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment has determined these are grounds for retraction.