Additionally, we identified a set of genes within the PMC_P region that promote EGC initiation, including RNASE1, a ribonuclease A family member implicated in RNA metabolism, angiogenesis, immune regulation, and cancer progression55; LGR4, a GPCR regulating cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation34; and CAPN8, which is predominantly expressed in the stomach, and appears to be involved in membrane trafficking in the gastric surface mucus cells.56 All three were functionally responsive to treatment in both in vitro and in vivo models. Here, CAPN8 is linked to cancer.