To further investigate the potential role of NUAK1 in regulating the malignant process of ESCC, we first detected the mRNA and protein levels of NUAK1 in seven ESCC cell lines (EC109, EC9706, TE-1, KYSE30, KYSE70, KYSE150 and KYSE510) and an immortalized esophageal epithelial cell line (Het-1 A). The gene discussed is NUAK1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.