In view of the essential role of PKR in the p38 MAPK signaling pathway [25], as well as the roles of p38 MAPK in EMT [26], we hypothesized that circFAM120B might also exert its EMT progress on ESCC through the PKR-mediated p38 MAPK/EMT pathway. The gene discussed is EIF2AK2; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.