Hence, the potential role of AFAP1-AS1 in the initiation and development of PC was investigated in the current study, in order to ascertain as to whether AFAP1-AS1 functions in connection with the AFAP1-AS1/miR-384/ACVR1 pathway to affect PC cell self-renewal ability, tumorigenicity, invasion, migration and stemness. The gene discussed is AFAP1; the disease is pachyonychia congenita.