In conclusion, our study confirmed the role of MUC1 in lymph node metastasis induced by CCL21-CCR7 in ESCC and elucidated the possible phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 and Sp1 pathways in the regulation of MUC1 by CCL21-CCR7. The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.