Among the DEGs, 21 hub genes were identified in the PPI network, and five of these genes, namely, SPP1, SPARC, BGN, POSTN, and COL1A2, were associated with the DFS of ESCC patients, in which higher expression levels of these genes were associated with a shorter DFS. The gene discussed is COL1A2; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.