Furthermore, CXCR7 gene silencing inhibited the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cells and induced the apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by decreasing the expression of p-ERK, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-2, while increasing the expression of caspase-3 61. The gene discussed is ACKR3; the disease is malignant colon neoplasm.