The correlation between CCL5 and the pericyte markers (Desmin (DES), platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) or actin alpha 2 (ACTA2)) was confirmed in both the TCGA-GBM and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA)-GBM datasets (Supplementary information, Fig. S4a, b). Here, DES is linked to central nervous system cancer.