Correction issued for pancreatic cancer study on malic enzyme 2 deletion
Nature journal rectifies figure labeling errors in 2017 pancreatic cancer research
1Original study context
The 2017 Nature study investigated how genomic deletion of malic enzyme 2 creates collateral lethality in pancreatic cancer cells, offering potential therapeutic targets. The research involved multiple departments at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University, focusing on metabolic vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer. The team used orthotopic experiments and bioluminescence imaging to track tumor progression over 79 days. Their findings suggested ME2 deletion could be exploited for cancer treatment strategies.
2Figure labeling errors identified
Corrections address three specific issues: duplicated AMPKα immunoblot between Extended Data Fig. 8b and Fig. 4f, incorrect β-actin loading-control in Fig. 4f, and mislabeled time points in Fig. 2f. The errors occurred during figure preparation and labeling but didn't affect the study's conclusions. The journal notes the original figures can't be updated due to the article's age, so corrected panels are provided as supplementary information. All corrections are documented with reference to original supplementary figures.
3Technical correction details
For Extended Data Fig. 8b, researchers replaced the duplicated immunoblot with the correct one from Supplementary Fig. 17 and updated the legend terminology. In Fig. 4f, they substituted the incorrect β-actin loading control with the proper blot from Supplementary Fig. 7. The bioluminescence images in Fig. 2f were relabeled from "76 days" to "79 days" to match Extended Data Fig. 3q, as both came from the same experiment endpoint.
4Multidisciplinary collaboration
The original research involved nine departments across MD Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University, spanning cancer biology, genomic medicine, bioengineering, and pathology. This collaboration highlights the complexity of pancreatic cancer research requiring diverse expertise. The Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research also contributed, reflecting international partnerships in oncology research. Such extensive collaboration is typical for high-impact cancer studies.
5Impact on research validity
The journal emphasizes these corrections don't affect the study's results or conclusions, addressing only presentation errors. This distinction is crucial in scientific publishing where methodological errors would require more substantial corrections. The transparency in documenting these changes maintains the paper's credibility while acknowledging normal scientific publishing processes. Such corrections are common in long-term cancer research projects.
6Correction publication process
Nature published this correction through its formal amendment process, providing both original and corrected panels as supplementary information. The correction follows standard practice for addressing post-publication issues in scientific literature. It includes detailed documentation of each change with references to supporting materials. This process ensures scientific record accuracy while maintaining the original study's integrity and citation history.
7Pancreatic cancer research context
The original study contributed to understanding metabolic dependencies in pancreatic cancer, particularly the ME2 enzyme's role. Such research is critical as pancreatic cancer remains challenging to treat with limited therapeutic options. The collateral lethality concept explored in the paper represents an emerging approach in oncology targeting cancer-specific metabolic vulnerabilities. This correction maintains the study's relevance in ongoing pancreatic cancer research efforts.
8Scientific publishing integrity
This correction demonstrates the scientific community's self-correcting mechanisms through transparent error acknowledgment. Such amendments are essential for maintaining research reproducibility and trust. The case shows how even high-profile journals like Nature implement rigorous correction protocols. It underscores the importance of meticulous data presentation in cancer research where details significantly impact therapeutic development and clinical translation.
Original article: Nature — Correction issued for pancreatic cancer study on malic enzyme 2 deletion