NEK2 and cancer: Moreover, CNE2‐NEK2 OE showed a significant increase in colony formation compared with CNE2‐EV, indicating that high levels of NEK2 promote cancer cell proliferation (Figure 2D and 2E; CNE2‐EV 107 ± 10 vs CNE2‐NEK2 OE 286 ± 5, P < 0.05).