Moreover, the inhibition of TAOK1 by DFO or lenti-virus infection induces apoptosis in ESCC cells, as evidenced by the increased expression of p53, p-p53 (S15), p-p53 (S46), Puma, Noxa, and Bax, and the decreased expression of Bcl-2. This evidence concerns the gene TAOK1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.