However, CXCL12 induces only the rapid phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK1/2 but not Akt in KATO III cells, which may indicate the variety and complexity of signaling in different GC cells although both NUGC4 and KATO III cell lines have similar features of signet‐ring cell carcinoma 28. Here, CXCL12 is linked to gastric cancer.