In the univariate Cox analysis, age (HR = 1.033), grade (HR = 1.967), pathological stage (HR = 1.856), T stage (HR = 1.998), metastasis (HR = 2.100) and the AXL expression (HR = 1.015) were significantly related to the OS (all P < 0.001; Fig. 4A). In the multivariate Cox analysis, age (HR = 1.037), grade (HR = 1.395), stage (1.662 = 4.10) and the AXL expression (HR = 1.011) were markedly linked to the OS (all P < 0.05; Fig. 4B). Taken together, the above results suggested that AXL expression could be an independent predictor of prognosis for ccRCC. The gene discussed is AXL; the disease is nonpapillary renal cell carcinoma.