In this review, we summarized that 8 markers (EGFR, p-mTOR, Cyclin D1, Survivin, VEGF, Podoplanin, Fascin, and PKM2) were associated with poor prognosis and 3 markers (P27, P16, E-cadherin) were associated with good prognosis of ESCC (Additional file 3: Table S3). This evidence concerns the gene PKM and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.