In NEE, SLC39A6 labeling was weak and predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of basal cells and suprabasal layer cells (Fig. 1a); however, SLC39A6 was highly expressed in HGIN and ESCC cells with the signal strongest in nuclei/cytoplasm (Fig. 1b, c). The gene discussed is SLC39A6; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.