Considering the same set of 161 genes whose expression was positively correlated with IL6 mRNA levels, six (4%) were differentially expressed in tumor-surrounding esophagus relative to esophageal mucosa from individuals without esophageal disorders (|fold-change| > 1.5 and FDR < 0.05), with only one gene found to be downregulated among the former (ZFAND5). Here, ZFAND5 is linked to esophageal disorder.