Higher GDF15 levels have also been associated with all-cause mortality as well as mortality associated with heart failure and acute myocardial infarction, cancer, advanced heart failure, and end-stage chronic kidney disease (Adela and Banerjee, 2015; Khan et al., 2009; Nair et al., 2017; Wiklund et al., 2010). The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is cancer.