In the present study SOX2 was proved to activate transcription of KTN1-AS1. In addition, SOX2 acts as a potential EMT-inducing transcriptional factor in promoting cancer cells invasion and metastasis, and SOX2 induced lncRNAs have been demonstrated to play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis22–24, so there may be potential promoting role for KTN1-AS1 on ESCC cells progression. This evidence concerns the gene SOX2 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.