SMAD9 and lung cancer: However, upregulation of CDKN2A, MEX3A, RPL39L, VARS, GSPT1, SNRPE, SSR1, and TIA1 CDKN2A, MEX3A, RPL39L, and VARS and the downregulations of PPARGC1B, EIF4E3, and SMAD9 are associated with poor survival in lung cancer patients.