These results are consistent with numerous studies that decreased expression of Beclin-1 protein is associated with abnormalities in breast cancer cells, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, brain tumor, ovarium cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (10, 16, 20-26). This evidence concerns the gene BECN1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.