In addition, the inhibition of RB1 is known to prevent MYC inhibition from inducing apoptosis in TP53‐inactivated melanoma cells.60 Therefore, it is likely that the down‐regulated RB1 and TP53 as well as the up‐regulated MYC would together repress the activation of CDKN1A to further prevent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby leading COPD to progress towards SQCC (Figure 7). The gene discussed is CDKN1A; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.