ATF3 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: On the other hand, it was shown that the tumor suppressor candidate-activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), which is significantly downregulated in malignant tissues [87], including ESCC specimens [88], coordinates a signaling cascade involved in the formation of a protein complex composed by p53, MDM2, and MMP-2, which mediates MMP-2 degradation and attenuation of tumor progression through cellular invasion inhibition [88].