Most importantly, TMEM161B‐AS1 suppresses cell proliferation, invasion and glycolysis by absorbing miR‐23a‐3p to promote the expression of HIF1AN, further eliciting the down‐regulation of glycolysis‐related proteins, which eventually results in the suppression of ESCC progression. This evidence concerns the gene TMEM161B and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.