Transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFB3) and transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) are both transforming growth factors, which are potent growth inhibitors that can effectively regulate cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis functions, and are frequently disturbed during the development of tumors, including GC (Chen et al., 2014). Here, TGFB3 is linked to gastric cancer.