Retraction Notice Issued for 2025 Study on pH-Responsive Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer Drug Delivery
The International Journal of Biological Macromolecules has published a retraction notice for the article titled “pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with folic acid and chitosan for targeted epirubicin delivery: In vitro and in vivo efficacy in breast cancer,” originally appearing in volume 309 (2025) as article 142558. The retraction notice, dated around June 2026, is available at the ScienceDirect platform. This development highlights ongoing discussions around research integrity in the rapidly evolving field of nanomedicine.
The original work explored the design of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) modified with folic acid and chitosan to enable pH-responsive release of the chemotherapy agent epirubicin. The study included laboratory tests on breast cancer cell lines and animal models to assess targeting efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. Authors included Nasim Kaveh Farsani, Shamim Afshari, Anita Saremi Poor, Arvin Toutounchi, Zahra Shahbazi, Sara Ramezani, Mohammadreza Tajik, Masoumeh Mirzaei Chegeni, Nastaran Asghari Moghaddam, and Hamid Abbasi, with affiliations linked to institutions in Iran such as Isfahan University of Technology.
Background on the Original Research and Its Scientific Context
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are porous structures with high surface area that can encapsulate drugs and release them in response to environmental cues like pH changes. In cancer applications, tumors often exhibit slightly acidic microenvironments compared to healthy tissue, allowing pH-responsive systems to deliver payloads more selectively. Folic acid targets folate receptors overexpressed on many cancer cells, while chitosan provides biocompatibility and pH-sensitive properties. Epirubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic used in breast cancer chemotherapy, known for its efficacy but also cardiotoxicity risks when administered systemically.
The retracted study aimed to demonstrate improved efficacy through this functionalized platform in both cell culture and live animal models of breast cancer. Such approaches represent a broader trend in targeted drug delivery systems designed to minimize off-target effects and enhance therapeutic indices.
Details of the Retraction and Publisher Response
According to the notice on ScienceDirect, the article was retracted at the request of the editors. The authors had initially sought a correction, but further review led to the full retraction. Elsevier’s standard policy on article corrections and retractions was referenced, underscoring the journal’s commitment to maintaining the accuracy of the scientific record. No specific details on data issues, image concerns, or other problems were elaborated in publicly available summaries, which is common in initial notices.
Readers can access the retraction notice directly via the provided link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141813026026681. The original retracted article carried a related identifier and remains noted as retracted on the platform.
Implications for Nanomedicine and Targeted Cancer Therapies
Retractions in nanoparticle-based drug delivery research can affect confidence in promising technologies. The field of nanomedicine for oncology has seen substantial investment, with numerous preclinical studies exploring silica-based carriers for agents like doxorubicin or epirubicin analogs. When a paper is withdrawn, it prompts researchers to re-evaluate related findings and replication efforts.
Breast cancer remains one of the most studied areas for targeted delivery due to high global incidence rates. Functionalized MSNs have been investigated for their tunable pore sizes, ease of surface modification, and potential for controlled release. The retraction serves as a reminder that rigorous validation, including independent replication of in vitro uptake studies and in vivo biodistribution data, is essential before advancing toward clinical translation.
Author Affiliations and Research Landscape in Iran
Lead author Nasim Kaveh Farsani has been associated with chemical engineering and nanomedicine research at Isfahan University of Technology. Co-authors represent a collaborative team spanning multiple departments, typical in interdisciplinary work combining materials science, pharmacology, and oncology. Iranian researchers have contributed significantly to publications on biomaterial-based drug carriers in recent years.
This case illustrates how international journals like the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules serve as venues for work from diverse geographic regions, while also enforcing uniform standards for publication ethics.
Broader Context of Research Integrity in Scientific Publishing
Retraction notices have increased across biomedical journals over the past decade, driven by improved detection tools for image manipulation, data anomalies, and post-publication peer review. Major publishers including Elsevier maintain clear policies requiring investigation when concerns arise. For early-career researchers and PhD candidates, understanding these processes is vital, as involvement in retracted work can influence career trajectories and funding opportunities.
Institutions worldwide emphasize training in responsible conduct of research, including proper data management, authorship criteria, and handling of corrections. The current retraction aligns with efforts to uphold these standards in high-impact areas such as cancer nanotherapeutics.
Impact on Related Studies and Future Research Directions
Other groups continue to publish on pH-responsive and ligand-targeted silica nanoparticles for breast cancer applications. Complementary work examines alternative surface modifications, combination therapies, or biodegradable variants to address safety concerns. The retraction may encourage more stringent controls in experimental design, such as blinded analysis of animal model outcomes and comprehensive characterization of nanoparticle batches.
Stakeholders including funding agencies, ethics committees, and journal editors are increasingly focused on reproducibility. This incident could accelerate adoption of preprint servers for initial dissemination and registered reports for planned studies in the nanomedicine community.
Perspectives from the Academic Community
Researchers in drug delivery often view retractions as necessary mechanisms rather than failures. They provide opportunities to refine methodologies and strengthen subsequent publications. For clinicians following translational research, awareness of retracted preclinical data helps prioritize robust evidence when considering new therapeutic strategies.
University administrators and research integrity offices monitor such cases to update internal guidelines and support training programs. Graduate students and postdocs benefit from discussions around these events in lab meetings and journal clubs.
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash
Resources for Researchers and Job Seekers in Academia
Professionals tracking developments in biomedical engineering or pharmaceutical sciences may explore opportunities in research-intensive institutions. Academic positions focused on nanomedicine, oncology pharmacology, or materials characterization remain active in many regions. Those interested in contributing to ethical research practices can find relevant roles through specialized academic job platforms.
Further reading on similar topics is available through established scientific databases and journal archives.
Looking Ahead: Maintaining Trust in Cancer Research Publications
As the scientific community processes this retraction, emphasis will likely remain on transparent reporting, open data where feasible, and proactive correction processes. The original study’s focus on folic acid-chitosan functionalized carriers for epirubicin delivery contributed to the collective knowledge base, even as its specific findings are now set aside.
Continued vigilance by journals, authors, and readers supports the reliability of published literature that informs future clinical advancements in breast cancer treatment.
