Esophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the world, with approximately half of the new cases occurring in China every year.1 Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the main subtype, accounting for more than 90%, and the five-year survival rate is less than 10%. Using large-scale genome analysis, many driver mutations and key pathways associated with ESCC have been identified. However, these genomic signatures have not improved the clinical management of ESCC patients, or established effective targeted therapy.2 Esophageal cancer still lacks representative molecular markers.