The mean VE-cadherin protein (0.683 ± 0.295 vs. 0.414 ± 0.087, P < 0.055) and mRNA (0.350 ± 0.293 vs. 0.092 ± 0.071, P < 0.05) expression levels were also significantly higher in the ESCC tissues than in the adjacent tissues. The gene discussed is CDH5; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.