AXL expression was absent in 19.8 % of the ESCC tissue samples (score=0, 23/116); 48.3 % (56/116) of ESCC tissues showed faint reactivity (score=1+); 24.1 % (28/116) moderate reactivity (score=2+); and 7.8 % (9/116) diffuse and strong reactivity (score=3) (Figure 1A and Table 2). This evidence concerns the gene AXL and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.