Downregulation of miR203 Induces Overexpression of PIK3CA and Predicts Poor Prognosis of Gastric Cancer Patients [Retraction]

Liang M, Shi B, Liu J, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2015;9:3607–3616. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S85525 We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy, have retracted the published article. After publication, concerns have been raised by a third party in 2024 about the integrity of the data in Figure 2 of the article. Further investigation conducted by the Journal and Publisher confirmed the following: Unusual similarities between Figure 2I of the article, and the following previously published article from unrelated authors: Yu J, Tan Q, Deng B, Fang C, Qi D, Wang R. The microRNA-520a-3p inhibits proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis by targeting MAP3K2 in non-small cell lung cancer. Am J Cancer Res. 2015;5(2):802-811. PMID: 25973317; PMCID: PMC4396038. Unusual similarities between the images shown in Figure 2I that are representative of different samples and conditions. Unusual similarities between the Western blots in Figures 2C and 2E, that are representative of different samples and treatment conditions. When approached for an explanation, the authors have provided their raw data and the relevant documentation. However, further data integrity concerns have been identified in the raw data provided. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article. The authors agree to the retraction. We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.