Our results showed that overexpression of ciRS-7 may at least in part explain aberrant activation of HOXB13 downstream pathways in ESCC cells besides the lncRNA CCAT123 and supported the hypothesis that ciRS-7 could facilitate malignant progression of ESCC via sponge of miR-7. The gene discussed is HOXB13; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.