As shown in Fig. 2a, serum ANGPTL4 level in ESCC patients was significantly higher than that in patients with benign esophageal disease (202.44 ± 131.03 vs. 63.19 ± 23.06 ng/mL, P < 0.001). The gene discussed is ANGPTL4; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.