EpCAM + p75NTR+ cells were detected using two-color flow cytometry (Fig. 3a) in 2 of the 10 (20 %) controls and 20 of 23 (86.9 %) ESCC patients, with cell counts (average ± SD) of 0.4 ± 0.9 and 16.0 ± 18.3, respectively (p = 0.013, Fig. 3b). This evidence concerns the gene NGFR and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.