MAPK1 and neoplasm: Studies have revealed that the hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes such as APC, TP53, and SMAD4 in colorectal cancer is closely associated with enhanced tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential (Nishiki et al., 2025[97]).The ERK pathway induces hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes (such as tumor suppressor genes and differentiation-related genes) by regulating the activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs).