suggested that elevated Mcl-1 expression was significantly associated with high PI, while it was evidently negative related to high AI in NSCLC (r = 0.148, P = 0.006, and r = − 0.184, P = 0.001, respectively), indicating aberrant high Mcl-1 expression might play an important role in inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell survival in NSCLC. This evidence concerns the gene MCL1 and non-small cell lung carcinoma.