Besides, WB assay revealed that knockdown of NGFR or treatment with ERKi dramatically inhibited the PHOX1-mediated upregulation of p-ERK, MMP1, CCND1, VEGFA, and FOS (Fig. 6L–O), crucial downstream effectors of the ERK pathway that promote tumorigenesis and metastasis in GC [19, 20]. This evidence concerns the gene PRRX1 and gastric cancer.