As a control, we confirmed a significant and positive correlation between TβRII and its downstream target P-SMAD2 (Pearson χ2=27.44, P=3.37E−06; Supplementary Fig. 8c,e); more importantly, activation of AKT (P-AKT 473) positively correlated with TβRII (Fig. 8f; Supplementary Fig. 8c), confirming our finding that AKT activity supports TβRII function and collaborates with TGF-β-induced pro-invasive and pro-metastatic responses in advanced tumours. The gene discussed is SMAD2; the disease is neoplasm.