WNK2 and cancer: Although unessential for normal growth and development, ALK's activation of signaling pathways, such as Janus kinase/signal transducer of activation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K/AKT, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) 5-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 5, underscores its essential role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis inhibition, making it a potential target for cancer therapy (70).