Subsequently, miR-877-3p targeted prostate transmembrane protein, androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1) 3’ untranslated region and repressed PMEPA1 expression in ESCC cells; overexpression of PMEPA1 attenuated the inhibitory effects of linc00941 knockdown on the ESCC cell progression. The gene discussed is LINC00941; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.