This study not only highlights the comparatively frequent expression of PD-L1 in this tumor entity and underlines the close association of PD-L1 positive ESCCs with increased numbers of intraepithelial T-lymphocytes, but also identifies a subset of non-immunogenic ESCCs with a distinct clinical course, potentially forming the basis for an immune-based stratification in this tumor entity. Here, CD274 is linked to neoplasm.