Upregulation of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR-577
Authors: S-B Wu
H-Q Wang
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2020)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; lncRNA DLX6-AS1; tumorigenesis; metastasis; oncogene
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most malignant type of esophageal cancer. Although significant advances have been made in ESCC diagnosis and therapy, its poor pathogenesis and prognosis remain a life-threatening problem. Meanwhile, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert a pivotal function in tumorigenesis. In this research, we aimed to explore the association between the aberrant expression of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 and the development and metastasis of ESCC. Patients and methods: DLX6-AS1 expression was monitored by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) in ESCC specimens. Moreover, experiments were conducted to detect the effect of DLX6-AS1 on the cell proliferation and metastasis of ESCC. In addition, the underlying mechanism was further explored through luciferase assays and RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP). Results: DLX6-AS1 expression level was significantly higher in ESCC specimens. Moreover, cell proliferation and metastasis of ESCC cells could be inhibited via reducing DLX6-AS1 expression. Besides, DLX6-AS1 was regarded as an oncogene in ESCC. Furthermore, DLX6-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA via sponging miR-577 in ESCC. Conclusions: In summary, DLX6-AS1 promotes development and metastasis of ESCC by sponging miR-577 and could be a potential therapeutic target. 

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: https: www.europeanreview.org article 22208  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, u201cUpregulation of long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR-577, by S.-B. Wu, H.-Q. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (3): 1195-1201u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_202002_20171u2013PMID: 32096208u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ,