Since abnormal activation of the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway can lead to cancer and since the p38/MK2 pathway plays a crucial role in inflammation, these MAPKs, together with the RBPs that regulate MAPKs, are attractive targets for new therapies for both cancer and/or inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis. The gene discussed is MAPKAPK2; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.