Activated T cells, central memory T cells, effector memory T cells, Tregs, macrophages, and other immune cell components were all strongly correlated with CD52, according to the TISIDB database, which further demonstrated that CD52 was likely involved in the immune regulation process in the TME of ESCC (Supplementary Fig. 3B). The gene discussed is CD52; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.