It has been reported that the Jak/STAT pathway can upregulate SOX2, a key transcription factor for cell identity and ESCC progress.24,25,43,44 Indeed, ESCC tumors with Tpm4 overexpression had increased SOX2 staining compared to control tumors (Fig. 4k). This evidence concerns the gene SOAT1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.