Gas6/Axl mediates tumor cell apoptosis, migration and invasion and predicts the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma patients.

•P-Axl was revealed highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells.•P-Axl was correlated to the recurrence or lung metastasis of osteosarcoma.•High expression of P-Axl is an independent predictor for osteosarcoma.•P-Axl protects osteosarcoma cell from apoptosis and promotes migration or invasion.•Gas6 increase P-AKT expression in consistent with P-Axl on dose- and time-dependent.