Lung cancer immunotherapy study retracted over data integrity concerns
A Nature Retraction Note published January 14, 2026 states that the 2023 study on antibodies against endogenous retroviruses promoting lung cancer immunotherapy has been retracted after an institutional investigation found data integrity concerns. Specific issues include manipulated A549 cell-binding data in Figure 5c, potentially manipulated ADCC results in Figures 5d–e, and unverifiable source data for B cell and antibody quantitation (Figure 3c and Extended Data Fig. 5c). The Francis Crick Institute ruled that co-first author Kevin Ng was responsible for these analyses and recommended retraction. The authors apologized and plan to publish a revised, properly validated report; they note that TRACERx and CAPTURE clinical/genetic data are not indicated to be affected.
