ETS1 encodes a member of the ETS family of transcription factors and is involved in cancer progression.25,26 To date, ETS family members have been shown to participate in cell proliferation and differentiation and do so through recognising a GCA core sequence in the promoter or enhancer of target genes.27 Previous studies have reported that ETS1 could be driven by MAPK signalling and modulates the expression of miRNAs in lung squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) with an immune evasion subtype.14 However, the cross-talk between ETS1 and miRNAs in RCC is still unknown. Here, ETS1 is linked to squamous cell lung carcinoma.