To examine whether the AKT–MDM2–p53 pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) are involved in FAM3B‐induced tumour progression in ESCC, we used Western blot analysis to assess the protein expression of crucial members (p‐AKT, MDM2, p53, Snail, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin) of the signalling pathways. The gene discussed is MDM2; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.