CA dose-dependently inhibited the malignant phenotypes of an ESCC cell line, KYSE-150, which is most likely mediated by multiple molecular mechanisms, including cell cycle arrest, promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of cell migration, and a coordinated inhibition of ERK, p-38, and JNK signaling pathways. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK8 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.