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). This evidence concerns the gene KCTD12 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.