Since the prognostic role of AR in GC and the potential mechanisms are insufficient, even though the association of AR with PFS only reached borderline significance in the present study, we performed in vitro experiment, and revealed that downregulation of AR suppressed the migratory and invasive ability of GC cells, possibly via inhibition of EMT associated molecules including α-SMA, β-catenin, snail, and slug. This evidence concerns the gene SNAI2 and gastric cancer.