Furthermore, we evaluated the possible link between the ECMGs and the tumor stage of PAAD, and 8 ECMGs (i.e. FN1, LAMA3, ITGB6, ITGB4, ITGA2, LAMC2, COL11A1, LAMB3) were detected to be significantly associated with tumor stage (Figures 3P–Y). The gene discussed is ITGA2; the disease is neoplasm.