MAP2K7 and cancer: The ERK (MAPK) kinase plays a pivotal role within the RAS/RAF/MAPK signal transduction pathway, exerting control over various facets of cellular metabolism in cancer cells.62,63 Consequently, when it comes to development of anticancer drugs, the focus largely centers on three key upstream regulators and ERK protein in the ERK pathway: RAS (upstream activator of RAF), RAF (direct effector of RAS and activator of MEK), MEK (functioning as MAPKK), and ERK (as MAPK).