However, the expression of CXCR4 in tumor cells was significantly associated with poor DFS and OS in patients with ESCC or metastatic/recurrent ESCC, whereas CXCR4 expression in TILs was associated with a slightly improved DFS and OS (P = 0.122 and P = 0.091, respectively) in the ESCC patients in our study (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Here, CXCR4 is linked to neoplasm.