Retraction note to: Mol Cancer 18, 3 (2019)

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-018-0931-9

The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article. After publication, concerns were raised regarding image overlap between Figs. 1f and 3d, which the authors address by a Correction [1]. However, further concerns have been raised about potential image overlap with two other articles [2, 3]. Specifically, in Fig. 1g, one of the subpanels appears to be highly similar to an image in Fig. 5a in ([2], now retracted). In Fig. 3e, the top three images appear highly similar to the bottom three images (rotated) in Fig. 2f in [3].

The authors have provided the original data to address the concerns. However, the original data contains overlapping cell images and highly similar backgrounds in the western blot gel photographs. Additionally, the source, number and sex of animals are different between the Ethics approval document and the Methods section of the article.

The Editor-in-Chief therefore no longer has confidence in the presented data and the ethical standards of the study.

Huaying Dong has stated on behalf of all co-authors that they agree to this retraction.