Compared with NEK9, the EMT markers (E-cadherin, vimentin, claudin-1 and ꞵ-catenin) were not found to be significantly associated with the M1 stage in the present study cohort, but the expression of E-cadherin or ꞵ-catenin did show an association with tumor differentiation (P = 0.037 and 0.002, respectively; Supplementary Table 3). The gene discussed is VIM; the disease is neoplasm.