Statins-bevacizumab colorectal cancer study retracted over figure concerns

The British Journal of Cancer has retracted a 2014 research article on statins, bevacizumab and anti-angiogenic effects in human colorectal cancer. The notice, published on 22 October 2026, states that concerns were raised about overlapping sections within and between Figures 3B and 3C. The authors did not respond to correspondence from the publisher, and the Editor-in-Chief said there was no longer confidence in the reliability of the data reported in the article.

The original paper, published online on 19 June 2014, examined whether statins could enhance the anti-angiogenic effects of bevacizumab by suppressing angiopoietin2, BiP and Hsp90α. Its title described the proposed interaction in human colorectal cancer, but the retraction means the article’s reported results should not be treated as reliable evidence. The notice does not provide new experimental findings, a replication study or a corrected analysis of the drug combination.

The publisher’s decision was based on the reported overlap in Figures 3B and 3C and the authors’ lack of response to correspondence. The notice specifically says that J Lee and W K Kang did not reply to the publisher’s messages, while the publisher was unable to contact S J Lee, I Lee and C Park. No response from the authors is included in the supplied retraction information.

This is a formal retraction, not a statement that the underlying biological hypothesis has been disproved. The notice identifies concerns about the reliability of the data and withdraws confidence in the article’s reported findings; it does not establish whether further research could test the proposed effects of statins and bevacizumab in colorectal cancer. Any assessment of the combination therefore requires independently verified evidence rather than relying on the retracted publication.

Subject of Research: Retraction of a colorectal cancer study examining statins and bevacizumab

Article Title: Retraction Note: Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, potentiate the anti-angiogenic effects of bevacizumab by suppressing angiopoietin2, BiP, and Hsp90α in human colorectal cancer

Article References: Lee, S. J., Lee, I., Lee, J., Park, C., & Kang, W. K. (2026). Retraction Note: Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, potentiate the anti-angiogenic effects of bevacizumab by suppressing angiopoietin2, BiP, and Hsp90α in human colorectal cancer. British Journal of Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-026-03656-y

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1038/s41416-026-03656-y

Keywords: retraction, colorectal cancer, statins, bevacizumab, anti-angiogenesis, data reliability, figure overlap, British Journal of Cancer, Note, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl, coenzyme, reductase