There were 6 DEGs identified that significantly affect survival of STAD patients (Fig. 3A and Additional file 1: Fig. S3), including activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), TSC22 domain family protein 3 (TSD22D3), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 6 (IGFBP6), phospholipid-transporting ATPase 1 (ABCA1), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and GLI Pathogenesis Related 1 (GLIPR1). Here, ABCA1 is linked to gastric adenocarcinoma.