However, except one previous study which reported that a high expression of AKR1C2 could provoke the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in prostatic cancer,14 studies concerning signal pathways mediated by AKR1C2 are limited, and the function of AKR1C2 and its modulation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway has not been investigated in ESCC. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.