Furthermore, Cox regression analysis indicated that age (p = 0.004), IKBIP expression (p = 0.017), T stage (p < 0.001), N stage (p = 0.003) and TNM stage (p < 0.001) were independent indicators for predicting the prognosis of ESCC patients (Fig. 1G). The gene discussed is IKBIP; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.