ESCC spheroids from circMALAT1 overexpressed cells showed increased expression of stemness‐associated transcription factors (SOX2, Oct4, and Nanog) compared with control cells, while ESCC spheroids with circMALAT1 knockdown exhibited decreased levels of these transcription factors (Figures 2C and S1D). This evidence concerns the gene POU5F1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.