In the module, pyruvate, one of the most important metabolites, is located in the central position, and 18 genes interact with it, 7 of which are differentially expressed in ESCC, including LDHB, SDS, PDHB, MPST, TST, PC and GPT (Figure 5A). The gene discussed is PDHB; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.