NEK6 overexpression drives tumorigenesis in COAD by involving multiple signaling pathways, including regulation of cyclin B transcription levels mediated by Cdc2 [8], inhibition of TGF-β pathway by interfering with nuclear translocation Smad4 [24], and the activation of STAT3 signaling [25, 26]. The gene discussed is SMAD4; the disease is colon adenocarcinoma.