In multivariate analyses, the tumour epithelial cell expression of NF-κB p105 (P=0.0001) and vimentin (P=0.005) and the stromal cell expression of NF-κB p105 (P=0.007) and Par6 (P=0.0001) were independent prognostic factors for DSS. The gene discussed is VIM; the disease is neoplasm.