However, it must be pointed out that we did not found SLC39A6 expression significantly differs between ESCC and their corresponding HGIN tissues; similarly, the SLC39A6 expression does not significantly differ between ESCC and their corresponding LGIN tissues (Additional file 3: Table S2), which was in conflict with the results provided in Table 2 between LGIN and ESCC (P = 0.037). Here, SLC39A6 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.