We, the authors, Editors and Publisher of the Journal of Drug Targeting have retracted the following article:Wen Lu, Gongqi Chen & Wenfang Li, Melanin-based biomimic photothermal nanoparticles for therapeutic application in diabetic nephropathyJournal of Drug Targeting, published online: 02 Nov 2020 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1061186X.2020.1841213Since publication, the authors have identified key data errors caused by incorrect instrument operation. Specifically, the near-infrared (NIR) laser, described in the article as having a continuous wavelength of 980 nm, was found to be operating at 708 nm. Because 708 nm is visible light, not NIR, the subsequent data are inaccurate and non-replicable. As this directly impacts the validity of the reported results and conclusions, the authors alerted the issue to the Editor and Publisher and all have agreed to retract the article to ensure the integrity of the scholarly record.We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted'.