Understanding on the effects of deregulated PAX6 expression on the development of NSCLC remains insufficient, and few studies have focused on the relationship between SMAD3 and PAX6. In accordance with the study by Zhao et al., PAX6 expression was significantly enhanced in NSCLC tissues compared with matched adjacent tissues and was associated with promoting cell cycle progression [24]. This evidence concerns the gene SMAD3 and non-small cell lung carcinoma.