CASP3 and lung carcinoma: Based on the highest degree score, the hub genes STAT3, EGFR, PPARG, CASP3, PTGS2, MMP9, AR, ESR, and AKT1 were highly enriched in the cancer pathway according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, suggesting direct or indirect involvement in lung cancer progression.