Interestingly, KCTD12 down regulated the expression of ABCC4 and ABCG2 (− 4.00 and − 3.93 fold changes, respectively), highlighting the probable role of KCTD12 in drug resistance in ESCC patients via these transporters (Fig. 5). The gene discussed is ABCC4; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.