In LTBP1 positive cases, the expression of LTBP1 was mostly located in tumor parenchymal margin, while E-cadherin was mainly expressed in tumor center (Fig. 6), suggesting that LTBP1 promoted ESCC cells to acquire mesenchymal phenotype in tumor parenchymal margin. Here, LTBP1 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.