Increased expression of LncRNA BANCR and its prognostic significance in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yanjing Gao
Tao Zhou
Journal: World Journal of Surgical Oncology (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: lncRNAs; hepatocellular carcinoma; BANCR; expression; function
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, Qi-Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shan Dong Province, People's Republic of China., Department of Gastroenterology, Qi-Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shan Dong Province, People's Republic of China. .

Abstract:  Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proved to play important roles in the tumorigenesis and development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of our study is to investigate the expression and function of BRAF-activated noncoding RNA (BANCR) in HCC. Methods: BANCR expression was detected in HCC tissues and cell lines by using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Association between BANCR levels and clinicopathological factors and patient prognosis was also analyzed. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, and transwell invasion and migration assays were used to investigate the role of BANCR in the regulation of biological behaviors of HCC cells. Results: BANCR expression was remarkably increased in HCC tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues (P&lt;0.001). BANCR expression in four HCC cell lines was also significantly upregulated (P&lt;0.05). Clinicopathologic analysis revealed that high BANCR expression correlated with high tumor grade, large tumor size, venous infiltration, advanced tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage, and shorter overall survival. Multivariate regression analysis identified BANCR overexpression as an independent unfavorable prognostic factor (relative risk [RR] 4.245; P=0.015) in HCC patients. Moreover, BANCR downregulation in Hep3B cells impaired cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, reduced cell invasion and migration, led to downregulated vimentin, and upregulated E-cadherin protein levels. Conclusions: These findings suggested that BANCR may contribute to HCC initiation and progression and would be used as not only a novel prognostic marker but also a potential therapeutic target for this disease. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Expression of Concern [13 June 2019] . --------------------------------------------------- The Editor-in-Chief is issuing an editorial expression of concern to alert readers that the following articles published within a very close time frame contain similarities in text and figures to this article [1]. Image si-BANCR in Figs. 3D and 4 in article [2] are very similar to images presented in Fig. 3D as well as the western blot in Fig. 4 in this article. Fig. 3C is very similar to Fig. 3C in retracted article [3]. Image si-NC in Fig. 3E in article [4] is very similar to Fig. 3D of this article. Significant text overlap has been found in articles [5, 6] with this article. The authors have stated that a language editing company submitted a wrong article on their behalf. The matter has been referred to the authorsu2019 institution for further investigation. None of the authors agree to this EEoC. References - (1). Zhou T, Gao Y. [Increased expression of LncRNA BANCR and its prognostic significance in human hepatocellular carcinoma] . World J Surg Oncol. 2016;14:8. doi: 10.1186 s12957-015-0757-5. [**Expression of Concern**] - (2). Li R-z, Wang L-m. [Decreased microRNA-452 expression and its prognostic significance in human osteosarcoma] . World J Surg Oncol. 2016;14:150. doi: 10.1186 s12957-016-0900-y. [**Retracted**] - (3). Tang T, Zhang GC, Li CF, Liu YF, Wang WY. [Decreased miR-452 expression in human colorectal cancer and its tumor suppressive function] . 2016. [**Retracted**] - (4). Zhu D, Chen H, Yang X, Chen W, Wang L, Xu J, Yu L. Decreased microRNA-224 and its clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Diagn Pathol. 2014;9:198. doi: [10.1186 s13000-014-0198-4] . [**Expression of Concern**] - (5). Ye H, Liu K, Qian K. [Overexpression of long noncoding RNA HOTTIP promotes tumor invasion and predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer] . 2016;9:2081u20138 https: www.dovepress.com front_end overexpression-of-long-noncoding-rna-hottip-promotes-tumor-invasion-an-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OTT. - (6). Peng ZQ, Lu RB, Xiao DM, Xiao ZM. [Increased expression of the lncRNA BANCR and its prognostic significance in human osteosarcoma] . Genet Mol Res. 2016;15(1) gmr.15017480. https: geneticsmr.com year2016 vol15-1 pdf gmr7480.pdf. [**Retracted**] ---------------------------------------------- Here is Fig 3: ![] For comparison, Figs 3 from [Tang et al (2016)] [**RETRACTED**] and [Lin et al (2014)] [**RETRACTED**]: ![] From Tang et al again, and from [Zhu et al (2014)] [**Expression of Concern**]: ![] Some of this series of retractions was [covered by RetractionWatch] . A broader context is available from [a Chinese science-integrity enthusiast] , blogging in 2016 and citing work by the now-vanished site PlagiarismWatch, to reconstruct a network of **11** mutually-plagiarised papers. All presumably the work of a papermill. ![] It appears that despite the overwhelming evidence that the paper is a fabrication, and the authors own admission of this fact, a retraction is impossible without the permission of the authors institution. Notably, the editors had no hesitation in retracting [Li Wang(2016)] from the same journal, with the same Figure 3. ![] ,