Mechanistically, TMEM44-AS1 was positively correlated with GPX4 expression, and TMEM44-AS1 could bind to the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP2 to enhance the stability of GPX4 mRNA, thereby affecting ferroptosis and regulating the malignant progression of ESCC. The gene discussed is IGF2BP2; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.