GEPIA database analysis of TSP2 expression level in tumours showed that TSP2 gene expression was significantly increased in a variety of tumours (Supplementary Fig. 1A, C), and TSP2 expression was significantly higher in GC (stomach adenocarcinoma; STAD) samples compared with normal tissues (P < 0.01) (Supplementary Fig. 1B, C). The gene discussed is THBS2; the disease is gastric adenocarcinoma.