Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1 acts as an oncogene by targeting miR-193a-3p in human non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: S-R Huang
J Zhu
S Chen
H-B Ge
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2019)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: lncRNA ZFAS1; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); miR-193a-3p; cell proliferation; therapeutic target
Affiliations: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Recent researches have proved the important role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in many diseases. In this study, the potential function of lncRNA ZFAS1 in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was mainly explored. Patients and methods: ZFAS1 expression in NSCLC patients was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay and ethynyl deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay were conducted to evaluate the regulatory effects of ZFAS1 on cellular behaviors of the NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the interaction between ZFAS1 and miR-193a-3p in mediating the progression of NSCLC was elucidated. Results: ZFAS1 expression was significantly higher in NSCLC samples relative to adjacent tissues. The proliferation of NSCLC cells was inhibited by silence of ZFAS1, and conversely, ZFAS2 overexpression promoted the proliferative ability. Further experiments showed that miR-193a-3p was directly targeted by ZFAS1. Conclusions: ZFAS1 could enhance cell growth ability of NSCLC by targeting miR-193a-3p, suggesting that ZFAS1 may be a potential therapeutic target in 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 by the publishers] . 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 ZFAS1 acts as an oncogene by targeting miR-193a-3p in human non-small cell lung cancer, by H.-B. Ge, S. Chen, S.-R. Huang, J. Zhu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (15): 6516-6523u2013DOI 10.26355 eurrev_201908_18535u2013PMID: 31378891u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ![file] , 
  [Decision on handling misconduct cases investigated and handled in 2021 (second batch)](http: www.nsfc.gov.cn publish portal0 tab434 info81402.htm) [Google Translate] ------------------------------------------------------- Regarding the existence of proxy writing and data for published papers such as Ge Haibo Falsification, false signature, unauthorized bidding of fund project numbers of others And other issues The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China reviewed the retracted paper  H.-B. GE, S. CHEN, S.-R. HUANG, J. ZHU*. Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1 acts as an oncogene by targeting miR-193a-3p in human non-small cell lung cancer. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2019, 23:6516-6523.u201d (labeled with fund number 81473609) The organization conducted an investigation on suspected academic misconduct. After investigation, Ge Haibo, the first author of the thesis, commissioned a third-party company to do experiments and write the paper on behalf of him at his own expense. The paper had data fraud problems. In addition, Ge Haibo also signed others as the author without authorization, and marked others with the project number of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. ,