CD44 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: In breast cancer, E3BP acts as an anti-tumor factor since suppression of E3BP by microRNA-27b deregulates cell metabolism and promotes cell proliferation.48 Conversely, another study has revealed that E3BP maintains PDH activity and the production of ATP, and knockdown of E3BP inhibits the proliferation of cancer stem cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating CD44 expression,49 suggesting that E3BP might exert opposite function in different cancers.