RETRACTED: The effect of CELLFOODTM on radiotherapy or combined chemoradiotherapy: preclinical evidence
Authors: Lidia Strigari
Barbara Antoniani
Serena Benedetti
Bruno Amadio
Rossella Galati
Barbara Nuvoli
Mariantonia Carosi
Giancarlo Cortese
Antonella Soriani
Journal: Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: CELLFOODTM; HIF1α; combined treatment strategies; mesothelioma; radiosensitivity.
Affiliations: Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agent Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy., SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy., Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo', Urbino, Italy., Anatomy Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy., Laboratory of Medical Physics and Expert Systems, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy., Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agent Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Chianesi, Rome 00144, Italy.

Abstract:  Background: Based on previous observations that the nutraceutical CELLFOOD™ (CF), the 'physiological modulator' that aimed to make oxygen available 'on demand', inhibits the growth of cancer cells, this study was designed to investigate the role of CF in the regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) and its correlated proteins, phosphoglycerate kinase 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Our idea was that CF, acting on HIF1α, in combination with current anticancer therapies could improve their effectiveness. Methods: To evaluate the effect of CF in association with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, different human cancer cell lines and mice with mesothelioma were analysed by tumour growth, clonogenic assay, western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: CF in combination with radiation with or without cisplatin increases the death rate of cancer cells. In vivo, 70% of mice treated with CF before the mesothelioma graft did not show any tumour growth, indicating a possible preventive effect of CF. Moreover, in mouse mesothelioma xenografts, CF improves the effect of radiotherapy also in combination with chemotherapy treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumour explants showed that HIF1α expression was reduced by the combination of CF and radiotherapy treatment and even more by the combination of CF and radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Mechanistically, CF increases the fraction of oxygenated cells, making the radiotherapy more effective with a greater production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that in turn, reduce the HIF1α expression. This effect is amplified by further increase in ROS from chemotherapy. Conclusions: Collectively, results from preclinical trials suggest that CF could be a useful intervention to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy or combined treatment strategies and could be a promising treatment modality to counteract cancer. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 3(b) apears to include two sets of wells in the HTC and MTSO sets which appear similar, if images are flipped horizontally (mirrored) and after contrast is adjusted. Wells marked in red appear to be quite similar, but blue wells appear to show some differences in the perimeter, there the well edge appears distorted. Could the authors review and comment? *** Marked ![file] *** Original ![file] , 
 #1 After adjusting the contrast, it appears that another set of wells in Figure 3(b) has been repeated; marked here in magenta. This set is not flipped horizontally as the others appear to be. *** ![file] , 
 I agree with the concerns illustrated in #2. In addition, Figures 2A appears to contain panels or lanes that might be visible multiple times but in a different orientation. ![file] , 
 Figure 5B * Green arrows: Three lanes in the left Actin panel look similar to the right Actin panel, in mirror image. ![file] , 
 Some similar issues with other papers: https: pubpeer.com publications B03F7419416BAA7480E11370AF6B8B , 
 Retraction, June 2021: https: journals.sagepub.com doi 10.1177 17588359211029757  At the request of the editorial team, the following article has been retracted: Nuvoli B, Amadio B, Cortese G, et al. The effect of CELLFOODTM on radiotherapy or combined chemoradiotherapy: preclinical evidence. Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology. January 2019. doi:10.1177 1758835919878347 This is due to concerns around possible image duplication and manipulation in multiple figures in the article. Figure 2A * The PGK1 Cal 27 bands appear to be the same as the PGK1 HCT-116 bands. * Two of the bands in the VEGF MSTO lanes appear to be the same as two bands in the VEGF HCT-116 lanes. * Two of the bands in the VEGF Cal 27 lanes appear to be the same as two bands in the VEGF MSTO lanes. * The bands from each cell line in the alpha-tubulin plates appear to be the same (shifted in sequence). Figure 3B * The CF plates appear to be the same for the HCT and MSTO cell lines. * The RT(4) plates appear to be the same for the HCT and MSTO cell lines. * The RT(4)+CF plates appear to be the same for the HCT and MDA-361 cell lines. Figure 5B * The 3 bands on the far-right in the Actin lane appear to be the same as the 3 bands to the left of them. ,