Among them, SYCE2, SYP, BDNF, ALPP, GRIN3A, EYA2, NGFR, FOXM1, SALL4, SERPINE1, TRIP6, MAPK10, LIMK1, EEPD1, FHL1, PBX1, MYT1, PBK, HMGA2, MAD2L1, CDC25C, STMN2, and IGF1 were identified as candidate genes significantly associated with the OS of COAD patients (Fig. 1B). Here, PBK is linked to colon adenocarcinoma.