METTL3 and esophageal cancer: In addition, Mettl3 and IFIT2 may also mediate the immune response in the development of esophageal cancer.[88] Mettl3 positively regulates collagen alpha-1(XII) chain expression, which in turn regulates the proliferation and metastatic capacity of ESCC cells by mediating RAF/MEK/ERK/MAPK signaling pathway activation.