Collectively, these results suggest that for AR negative AKR1C2 positive (AR−/AKR1C2+) ESCC, AKR1C2 mediates activation of PI3K/AKT pathway may be an alternative to DHT‐AR pathway, which uses androgen metabolites to activate a classic tumour signalling pathway. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.