Expression levels of genes regulated by STAT3 were elevated in follicular B cells, with higher levels observed in follicular B cells from SA-ESCC samples, whereas high expression levels of ATF3 were observed in plasma B cells, especially in plasma B cells derived from NACT-ESCC patients (Fig. 6D and Supplementary Fig. 7B). The gene discussed is ATF3; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.