The prognostic analysis showed that upregulation of CD40, TRAF4, BCL2A1 and LC3-II, and downregulation of CARD6 and TNFRSF21 were associated with higher risk of early local recurrence in patients with locally advanced ESCC who received dCRT. The gene discussed is TNFRSF21; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.