LOXL2 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: The effect of altered LOXL2 gene expression on the biological properties of ESCC cells was investigated through ex vivo cellular assays, and the mechanism by which LOXL2 activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through phosphorylation of AKT to promote the proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous carcinoma was elucidated.