The article reviews the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. ERK, a member of the MAPK family, is crucial for cell proliferation, differentiation, and stress responses. The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is the most important signaling cascade among all MAPK pathways and plays a central role in tumor survival and development. The review highlights recent studies on Ras and ERK pathway members, focusing on the downstream processes of ERK activation, including its role in tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. It also emphasizes the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway's involvement in tumor extracellular matrix degradation and angiogenesis. The article discusses the mechanisms by which the ERK/MAPK pathway promotes tumor growth and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway.The article reviews the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. ERK, a member of the MAPK family, is crucial for cell proliferation, differentiation, and stress responses. The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is the most important signaling cascade among all MAPK pathways and plays a central role in tumor survival and development. The review highlights recent studies on Ras and ERK pathway members, focusing on the downstream processes of ERK activation, including its role in tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. It also emphasizes the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway's involvement in tumor extracellular matrix degradation and angiogenesis. The article discusses the mechanisms by which the ERK/MAPK pathway promotes tumor growth and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway.