Fig. 2

a Time-dependent ROC curves for the CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 as well as the post-NACT CTM according to 3-year progression-free survival (PFS). The AUCs for the four indicators is presented in the plot. While all performed statistical significance compared to reference, Compared with the AUC in the CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 group, the AUC in combination group was significantly increased (vs. CEA, P = 0.003; vs. CA19-9, P = 0.011; vs. CA72-4 P < 0.001). b Accuracy of recurrence prediction as a function of follow-up months. The time-dependent AUC values for three TMs and post-NACT CTM were computed for each time point separated by month. The prediction accuracy was largely stable in the combination method except during the first three after surgery