Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed a high HR in the high-risk group (P < 1e − 5, all HR = 2.14 (95%CI: 1.81–2.53), Figure 3(h)), indicating that this prognostic model was effective to predict prognosis and TGF-β signaling pathway was a risk factor to PAAD patients. Here, TGFB1 is linked to pancreatic adenocarcinoma.