The positive expression of PD-L1 in ESCC tumor cells was associated with tumor differentiation, T stage and shorter DFS (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.488, P = 0.017) when the cut-off point was 10%, but not correlated with OS (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.255, P = 0.210), just as the result of the cut-off point was 1% (OS, Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.240, P = 0.144; and DFS, Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.436, P = 0.009). This evidence concerns the gene CD274 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.