We analyzed TP63 promoter methylation and copy number variation states in our previously reported multiple disease stage tissue samples from ESCC patients8 and found that although the TP63 promoter methylation levels did not change significantly (Supplementary Fig. 8j), the copy numbers of TP63 were gradually and significantly elevated along with disease progression (Fig. 6j). Here, TP63 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.