As shown in Fig. 2a, b, 45.7% (32 of 70) of ESCC cases were evaluated as having high IGFBP-3 expression, with the remaining ESCC cases (54.3%, 38 of 70) defined as having negative or low IGFBP-3 expression. Here, IGFBP3 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.