In this study, we not only examined the levels of KLF5, GCN5, GDF15, C5aR, or C5a in NSCLC samples, but also evaluated the roles of KLF5, GCN5 and GDF15 in C5a-triggered cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.