Overexpression of IFITM1 in NF1-associated MPNST cells resulted in a significant decrease in Ras activation (GTP-Ras) and downstream extracellular regulatory kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, whereas downregulation of IFITM1 via treatment with small interfering RNA in normal Schwann cells had the opposite result, indicating that expression levels of IFITM1 are closely associated with tumor progression in NF1. The gene discussed is IFITM1; the disease is malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.