In NUGC4 cells, CXCR4 mediates CXCL12‐induced rapid phosphorylation of ERK and Akt, which suppresses apoptotic signals of caspase‐9, caspase‐3, and Bcl‐2 and subsequently contributes to the proliferation and survival of GC 17. The gene discussed is CXCR4; the disease is gastric cancer.