Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the certain of the cell proliferation assay data shown in Fig. 4C on p. 1444 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article written by different authors at different research institutes, which had already been submitted for publication [Shi N, Shan B, Song Y, Chu H and Qian L: Circular RNA circ‐PRKCI functions as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate AKT3 expression by sponging miR‐3680‐3p in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This evidence concerns the gene PRKCI and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.