TIMP1 and esophageal cancer: Finally, TIMP1 not only inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, influencing the degradation of the extracellular matrix, but also activates cytokines, immune activation pathways, and the WNT signaling pathway (Figure 6E and Figure S10E), regulating tumor growth, invasion, and immune evasion, playing a crucial role in the development of esophageal cancer.