As a transcription factor, ZEB1 is a well‐known EMT inducer that plays a vital role in tumour initiation, tumour cell plasticity and the acquisition of stemness.12, 41 A previous study demonstrated that ZEB1 expression enhanced the aggressive tumour cell phenotype by remodelling lung cancer extracellular matrix.42 ZEB1 expression also promoted tumour initiation and progression, which resulted from inhibiting the senescence of colorectal cancer cells.43 The current study demonstrated that ZEB1 was significantly correlated with Gleason score, TNM and metastasis, in a manner similar to VM. This evidence concerns the gene ZEB1 and lung cancer.