RBM4 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Senescent cells have been shown to display senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) by secreting pro-inflammatory factors, cytokines, and chemokines, which in turn leads to the senescence of adjacent cells.34 In line with this notion, the mRNA levels of various SASP factors were significantly upregulated in RBM4-depleted ESCC cells compared to control cells (Fig. 2b).