Specifically, DNA repair (e.g., LIG1 S66, PARP1 T361, etc.)and glycolysis (e.g., GPI Y564, PGAM1 S118, etc.)related proteins were overrepresented in the submucosa stages (stages 6 and 7) and in the advanced stages (stages 8 and 9) of ESCC, respectively, at the protein and phosphoprotein levels (Kruskal–Wallis test, FDR < 0.05, certain stage vs. other stages ratio ≥ 2) (Fig. 4f, g). This evidence concerns the gene PGAM1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.