The risk score for each patient with PAAD was calculated using the formula: Risk score = (0.088 × CAV1 exp.)+ (0.044 × IGFBP3 exp.)+ (− 0.261 × PLAC9 exp.)+ (0.229 × PLAU exp.)+ (− 0.282 × SELM exp.)+ (− 0.071 × SOD3 exp.). Here, CAV1 is linked to pancreatic adenocarcinoma.