Univariate Cox regression analysis results showed that SMAD3 expression (p = 0.004, HR = 1.727, 95% CI 1.185–2.517), tumor stage (p = 0.014, HR = 1.270, 95% CI 1.049–1.539), and age (p = 0.010, HR = 1.025, 95% CI 1.006–1.045) considerably affected the overall survival of NSCLC patients (Fig. 2E). This evidence concerns the gene SMAD3 and neoplasm.