Specifically, 13 genes potentially regulated by Ref-1, namely AURKA, XRCC1, RNASEH2A, CDC20, TIMELESS, NONO, SNRPD3, SMARCA4, CAD, GINS4, TM9SF4, MET and SCRN1, were significantly upregulated in MPNST (Fig. 5a, P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene APEX1 and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.