In our study, GDF15 was upregulated along with the knockdown of PCAT6. It indicated that PCAT6 may promotes development of ESCC via suppressing GDF15. With regard to DUSP4, previous research reported that downregulation of DUSP4 enhanced cell proliferation in colorectal carcinomas (CRC). The gene discussed is DUSP4; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.