A previous study from our group, based on microarray analysis, showed that the methylation status of BCL3 (B-cell CLL/lymphoma 3), a member of the nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitors [IκB (inhibitory κB)] family, and the TFF1 (trefoil factor 1), a protector of the mucosa, are disrupted in ESCC and in the normal surrounding tissue [54]. This evidence concerns the gene TFF1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.