In this study, it was found that MT3‐MMP was down‐regulated in both 66.3% of primary ESCC tumors (by IHC, n = 86) and 63.3% of paired fresh surgically resected ESCC (by qPCR, n = 30), compared to nontumor esophageal tissues. The gene discussed is MT3; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.