VIM and neoplasm: Notably, using serial tumor sections, statistically significantly positive correlations were found among STC2, pAKT, Snail, and vimentin expression (r = 0.357-0.645, P < 0.001, Spearman's correlation) (Figure 6A, 6C), whereas statistically significantly negative correlations were found between E-cadherin and STC2, pAKT, Snail, and vimentin [r= (-0.24)—(-0.083), P < 0.001].