In contrast, several immune-related KEGG pathways were enriched in stage III tumors, including TNF signaling (P = 0.017), cytokine receptor interaction (P = 0.02), IL-17 signaling (P = 0.015), Epstein-Barr virus infection (P = 0.025), and rheumatoid arthritis (P = 0.024) (Fig. 5a). This evidence concerns the gene IL17A and Epstein-Barr virus infection.