The study observed a drop in ERα expression in CIN and cancer cells; although the expression of ERα in stromal cells persisted during the development of cancer, which indicates that estrogen signaling occurs indirectly in cervical cancer via ERα-positive tumor-associated stromal cells, unlike hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells that express ERα directly. The gene discussed is ESR1; the disease is cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.