In addition, we found that MMP10 and MMP13, functional molecules of the FAK-PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, were highly expressed in ESCC (Fig. 6c) and CASC9 depletion reduced MMP10 and MMP13 expression (Fig. 6d, e). The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.