Retraction note: Growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by 6-fluoro-3-formylchromone in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Yijie Zhang,Gang Jin,Xuyu Zhou,Yingqi Zhou,Chenghao Shao,Hongli Yan,Tianlin He,Kailian Zheng

doi:10.1186/s12876-015-0265-7

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal and prevalent cancers in human population. The 6-fluoro-3-formylchromone (FCC) has been shown to have anti-tumor activity against various tumor cells. However, the effects of FCC on HCC cell lines have not yet been reported. This study aims to research the effects of FCC on HCC and advance the understanding of the molecular mechanism. HCC cell line SMMC-7721 was treated with FCC at various concentrations (0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 μg/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The proliferations of SMMC-7721 cells were measured by MTT assays. After cultured 24 hours, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. However, the expression levels of PCNA, Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by western blotting after 48 hours. FCC displayed a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the SMMC-7721 cell proliferations in vitro. It also induced apoptosis with 45.4% and caused cell accumulation in G0/G1 phase with 21.5%. PCNA and Bcl-2 expression was significantly suppressed by FCC in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), while Bax expression was increased. FCC could significantly inhibit HCC cell growth in vitro through cell cycle arrest and inducing apoptosis by suppressing PCNA expression and modulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

Highlights

Retraction The Publisher and Editor regretfully retract this article [1] because the peer-review process was inappropriately influenced and compromised
A systematic and detailed investigation suggests that a third party was involved in supplying fabricated details of potential peer reviewers for a large number of manuscripts submitted to different journals
It was not possible to determine beyond doubt that the authors of this particular article were aware of any third party attempts to manipulate peer review of their manuscript

Summary

Introduction

Retraction The Publisher and Editor regretfully retract this article [1] because the peer-review process was inappropriately influenced and compromised. Retraction Note: Growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by 6-fluoro-3-formylchromone in hepatocellular carcinoma The scientific integrity of the article cannot be guaranteed.

Results

Conclusion