Cox regression multivariate analysis indicated that only serum TGF-β1 level (P=0.001; HR=1.213, 95%CI: 1.204–3.876), tumor stage of PDAC (P=0.012; HR=1.158, 95%CI: 1.127–2.132) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.018; HR=1.214, 95%CI: 1.374–2.93) were independent prognostic factors for patients with PDAC (Table 1). The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.