MALAT1 and cancer: Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been previously reported in a wide range of human cancers including ESCC.10, 11, 14, 17, 19, 23, 24, 25 For example, the lncRNA MALAT1,23, 25 HOTTIP26 and HOTAIR27 were overexpressed in ESCC tumor tissues and are good predictive factors for overall survival.