Long noncoding RNA AK027294 acts as an oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer by up-regulating STAT3
Authors: B Chen
C-H Ling
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2019)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: lncRNA; AK027294; non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC; RT-qPCR
Affiliations: Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Recent researches have proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in multiple diseases, including malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to explore the exact role of lncRNA AK027294 in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to investigate the possible underlying mechanism. Patients and methods: Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was utilized to detect the AK027294 expression in NSCLC patients. Then, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay were performed, respectively. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and Western blot assay were used to explore the potential mechanism. Results: The expression level of AK027294 NSCLC samples was significantly higher than that of adjacent tissues. Subsequent functional assays showed that the growth ability of NSCLC cells was markedly inhibited after AK027294 silence. In addition, after AK027294 knock-down, the expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) was remarkably down-regulated. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the STAT3 expression was positively correlated with the AK027294 expression in NSCLC tissues. Conclusions: The above results indicated that AK027294 could enhance the growth ability of NSCLC by up-regulating STAT3. Our findings suggested that AK027294 might be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of a set of 121 papers that all contain images from the same library of about 100 photos and plots. This is unexpected, because each paper has different authors and different affiliations, with little to no overlap, and describes different cancer types and molecules. It would be very hard to explain how authors from different labs would all obtain the same photo. Therefore, the papers might have all be derived from the same source, such as a paper mill that sells ready-to-be-published papers. This  Stock Photo paper set has been described in more detail on my blog post, https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 07 05 the-stock-photo-paper-mill and in a Wall Street Journal article by Eva Xiao (currently behind a paywall): https: www.wsj.com articles chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 The vast majority (113 121) of the papers were published in the same journal, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (ERMPS). A link to the full set of papers can be found here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 172RWS18w1lTNJ9Nnj80fuXXTqTm4fGkoK0sdYyvKE3g edit?usp=sharing All papers have been reported to the journal editors on July 2, 2020. , 
 Retracted [May 2021] . ---------------------------------- Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cLong noncoding RNA AK027294 acts as an oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer by up-regulating STAT3, by B. Chen, C.-H. Ling, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (3): 1102-1107u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_201902_17000u2013PMID: 30779078u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. , 
 http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202201 t20220127_179206.html Google Translated Date: January 27, 2022 14:44 Source: Ministry of Science and Technology u3000u300031. The paper  Long noncoding RNA AK027294 acts as an oncogene in Long noncoding RNA AK027294 acts as an oncogene in a paper by Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 2015) with Chen Bin as the first author and the corresponding author of Ling Chunhua of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. non-small cell lung cancer by up-regulating STAT3u201d. After investigation, the paper has the behavior of buying and selling papers. Chen Bin shall be dealt with as follows: revocation of doctoral degree; Ling Chunhua shall be dealt with as follows: admonishment to talk, stop recruiting all kinds of postgraduates for 1 year, stop applying for qualifications such as scientific research projects, scientific and technological awards, titles of scientific and technological talents and professional and technical positions promotion for 2 years. u3000u3000(Notification link: http: fyy.sdfyy.cn Article detail id 95695 category N_poster.html) ,