The present study identifies TYMS as cancer-promoting genes by promoting cell proliferation in human ESCC, and reveals the activating mechanism of the antioxidant protection system by up-regulating Nrf2 and Nrf2-dependent enzymes genes expression to reduce the level of intracellular oxidative stress (Fig 4). The gene discussed is NFE2L2; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.