NOX4 promotes tumor progression through the MAPK-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 axis in colorectal cancer.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming plays a key role in cancer progression and clinical outcomes; however, the patterns and primary regulators of metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer (CRC) are not well understood.

Aim: To explore the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in promoting progression of CRC.

Methods: We evaluated the expression and function of dysregulated and survival-related metabolic genes using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.