Given that ESCCAL-1 directly interacts with Gal-1 protein and positively associates with Gal-1 protein level with no impingement on Gal-1 mRNA level, we intend to explore the potential mechanism that is responsible for ESCCAL-1-mediated increase of Gal-1 protein in ESCC cells. The gene discussed is CASC9; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.