We also reveal for the first time that CTHRC1 exerts its effect on ESCC progression mainly through the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, with dependence on the induction and activation of FRA-1, a FOS family transcription factor that binds to JUN-family proteins to form the AP-1 complex [35]. Here, MAP2K7 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.