High Ki-67 expression was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with ESCC compared to that of the low-expression in both univariate (hazard ratios (HR) = 3.42, 95% CI [2.22–5.27], P < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (HR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.33–2.94], P < 0.001). The gene discussed is MKI67; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.