As shown in Fig. 4, we have found that there were several commonly enriched KEGG pathways between SSc (at least one) and considered cancer diseases including Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pl3K-Akt signaling pathway, Hematopoietic cell lineage, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Chemokine signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, Malaria, Amoebiasis, Graft-versus-host disease, Autoimmune thyroid disease, Bladder cancer, IL-17 signaling pathway, and protein digestion and absorption. Here, IL17A is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.