Angiogenic factors: role in esophageal cancer, a brief review

Inhibition of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor/Insulin Receptor Signaling by Small-Molecule Inhibitor BMS-754807 Leads to Improved Survival in Experimental Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin axes are upregulated in obesity and obesity-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is a contemporary nanotechnology-based paclitaxel (PT) bound to human albumin, ensuring its solubility in water rather than a toxic solvent. Here, we examined the benefits of inhibiting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor/insulin receptor (IGF-1/IR) signaling and the enhancement of nab-paclitaxel effects by inclusion of the small-molecule inhibitor BMS-754807 using both in vitro and in vivo models of EAC. Using multiple EAC cell lines, BMS-754807 and nab-paclitaxel were evaluated as mono and combination therapies for in vitro effects on cell proliferation, cell death, and cell movement. We then analyzed the in vivo anticancer potency with survival improvement with BMS-754807 and nab-paclitaxel mono and combination therapies. BMS-754807 monotherapy suppressed in vitro cell proliferation and wound healing while increasing apoptosis. BMS-754807, when combined with nab-paclitaxel, enhanced those effects on the inhibition of cell proliferation, increment in cell apoptosis, and inhibition of wound healing. BMS-754807 with nab-paclitaxel produced substantially greater antitumor effects by increasing in vivo apoptosis, leading to increased mice survival compared to those of BMS-754807 or nab-paclitaxel monotherapy. Our outcomes support the use of BMS-754807, alone and in combination with nab-paclitaxel, as an efficient and innovative treatment choice for EAC.

Factors Associated With Esophagus Cancers in Togo, Sub-Saharan Africa

Background

Esophagus cancer is cancer of poor prognosis, of often late diagnosis. The objective of this study was to describe the factors associated with esophagus cancers in the Togolese population.

Methods

It was a retrospective descriptive, cross-sectional study, on esophagus cancers histologically diagnosed at the Pathological Laboratory of Lomé over a period of 31 years (1990-2021).

Results

We have collected 144 cases of esophagus cancer. The average age of patients was 57 ± 12 years, and the sex ratio was 2.34. The most applicant service was the service of Hepato Gastroenterology of CHU Campus (30.6%). Alcohol (57.6%), tobacco (45.8%) were the most present risk factors. Biopsies were the most addressed (97.2%). The average duration of symptom evolution was 6.42 months and the main symptom at the time of diagnosis was dysphagia (36.8%). The location of cancer was the lower third for 71.5% of cases. At histology, epidermoid carcinoma was the dominant type (90.3%). Male sex was statistically associated with the occurrence of epidermoid carcinoma and female sex with the occurrence of adenocarcinoma (P < .001). Alcohol, smoking, and consumption of hot foods were statistically associated with the occurrence of epidermoid carcinoma in this study (P < .05).

Conclusion

Esophagus cancer remains a serious condition for late diagnosis. These are mainly epidermoid carcinomas and having alcohol and tobacco as risk factors. The awareness of the population on the main risk factors would reduce the incidence of oesophagus cancers within the Togolese population.

MYBL1 induces transcriptional activation of ANGPT2 to promote tumor angiogenesis and confer sorafenib resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Angiogenesis is considered as an important process in tumor growth, metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated with cancer progression, suggesting that an important research and development field of clinical molecular targeted drugs for HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor angiogenesis in HCC remains elusive. In the current study, we demonstrate that upregulation of AMYB proto-oncogene-like 1 (MYBL1) was associated with high endothelial vessel (EV) density and contributed to poor prognosis of HCC patient. Functionally, MYBL1 overexpressing enhanced the capacity of HCC cells to induce tube formation, migration of HUVECs, neovascularization in CAMs, finally, enhanced HCC cells metastasis, while silencing MYBL1 had the converse effect. Furthermore, HCC cells with high MYBL1 expression were more resistance to sorafenib treatment. We observed that CD31 staining was significantly increased in tumors formed by MYBL1-overexpressing cells but decreased in MYBL1-silenced tumors. Mechanistically, MYBL1 binds to the ANGPT2 promoter and transcriptionally upregulate ANGPT2 mRNA expression. Strikingly, treatment with monoclonal antibody against ANGPT2 significantly inhibited the growth of MYBL1-overexpressing tumors and efficiently impaired angiogenesis. Furthermore, the histone post-translational factors: protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), MEP50, and WDR5 were required for MYBL1-mediated ANGPT2 upregulation. Importantly, we confirmed the correlation between MYBL1 and ANGPT2 expression in a large cohort of clinical HCC samples and several published datasets in pancreatic cancer, esophageal carcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and colon cancer. Our results demonstrate that MYBL1 upregulated the ANGPT2 expression, then induced angiogenesis and confer sorafenib resistance to HCC cells, and MYBL1 may represent a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with HCC.

HOXB5‑activated ANGPT2 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenic effect of esophageal cancer cells via activating ERK/AKT signaling pathway

Esophageal cancer, which is the eighth most common cancer worldwide, has a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. The present study was designed to investigate the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenic effect of the homeobox B5 (HOXB5)/angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2) interplay in esophageal cancer. The relative expression of ANGPT2 and HOXB5 in esophageal cancer and the association between gene expression was evaluated using data from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis databases. Following transduction of short hairpin RNA-ANGPT2#1/2 plasmids, ANGPT2 was silenced. Viability, proliferation and invasion of esophageal cancer cells were assessed using CCK-8, 5-EdU, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Moreover, the transcriptional activity of ANGPT2 and angiogenesis were detected with luciferase reporter, chromatin immunoprecipitation (CH-IP) and tube formation assays. The results of the present study indicated that ANGPT2 was upregulated, both in esophageal cancer cell lines and tissue and there was an association between the ANGPT2 upregulation and the poor patient prognosis. In addition, ANGPT2 silencing suppressed esophageal cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. The HOXB5 expression was also increased in esophageal cancer, and transcriptionally activated ANGPT2. Moreover, HOXB5 overexpression reversed the effects of ANGPT2 silencing in esophageal cancer cells. Furthermore, ANGPT2 silencing inactivated ERK/AKT signaling, whereas the HOXB5 overexpression blocked this effect. In conclusion, ANGPT2, which was transcriptionally activated by HOXB5, activated the ERK/AKT signaling pathway to promote proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis of esophageal cancer cells.

Co-administration of platelet-rich plasma and small intestinal submucosa is more beneficial than their individual use in promoting acute skin wound healing

Background

Acute skin wounds may compromise the skin barrier, posing a risk of infection. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is widely used to treat acute and chronic wounds. However, the efficacy of SIS to accelerate wound healing still needs to be improved to meet clinical demands. To tackle this problem, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used due to its potency to promote proliferation, migration and adhesion of target cells. In this study, we applied PRP and SIS to skin wounds to explore their effects on wound healing by evaluating re-epithelialization, collagen production, angiogenesis and the inflammatory response.

Methods

A 1 × 1-cm full-thickness skin defect was established in mice. Sixty mice were divided into four treatment groups: PRP + SIS, PRP, SIS and control. On days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 post-surgery, tissue specimens were harvested. Haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence double staining were used to visualize epidermal thickness, collagen and vascular regeneration and inflammation.

Results

Wound contraction in the PRP and PRP + SIS groups was significantly greater, compared with the other groups, on days 3 and 5 post-surgery. A histological analysis showed higher collagen expression in the PRP and PRP + SIS groups on day 7, which was associated with a thicker epidermal layer on day 14. In addition, immunohistochemical staining showed that CD31-positive blood vessels and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the PRP + SIS and PRP groups were significantly higher, compared with the control group. Furthermore, immunofluorescence double staining showed that the number of M1 and M2 macrophages in the PRP + SIS and PRP groups was higher, compared with the control and SIS groups alone, on day 3. However, on day 7, the number of M1 macrophages dramatically decreased in the PRP + SIS and PRP groups. The ratio of M2 to M1 macrophages in the PRP + SIS and PRP groups was 3.97 and 2.93 times that of the control group and 4.56 and 3.37 times that of the SIS group, respectively.

Conclusion

Co-administration of SIS and PRP has a better effect on promoting angiogenesis, re-epithelialization and collagen regeneration in managing acute wound healing than either agent alone.

Low expression of LncRNA-CAF attributed to the high expression of HIF1A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cancer patients

PURPOSE

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of tumor microenvironment that stimulate ESCC and GC progression. The LncRNA-CAF, FLJ22447, is located in the vicinity of HIF1A, while their association remains unclear. This study aims to assess the FLJ22447 expression in the ESCC and GC patients and evaluate its association with the HIF1A gene.

METHODS

Fresh ESCC and GC tumor samples and their adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from patients who underwent surgery in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The expression of FLJ22447, HIF1A, and VEGF was evaluated using qRT-PCR test. The association of their expression with tumor clinicopathological features in ESCC patients was assessed. System biology tools were then applied for the possible biological subsequences of the FLJ22447.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in FLJ22447 expression was observed in ESCC and GC tissues than adjacent non-tumor tissues, while, the expression of HIF1A and VEGF were increased. Low expression of FLJ22447 was significantly correlated with HIF1A (P = 2.4e-73, R = 0.63) and VEGF (P = 0.00019, R = 0.15) expression. A significant relationship was detected between the high expression of HIF1A and tumor stages (I-II) and it was related to the reduced survival of ESCC patients. Conversely, increased VEGF expression was linked to the advanced stages (III-IV) and metastasis in ESCC. The analysis of FLJ22447-interacted proteins showed that MYC, JUN, SMRCA4, PPARG, AR, FOS, and CEBPA are the hub genes. These proteins were implicated in the cancer related pathways. Among them, SPI1, E2F1, TCF7L2, and STAT1 were significantly expressed in esophageal and gastric cancers that were functionally involved in the proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis pathways in cancer.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that FLJ22447 may have a regulatory function on the HIF1A expression. We identified the FLJ22447-interacted proteins and their molecular function in cancer pathogenesis. Further research emphasis is to realize the association of FLJ22447 with its protein partners in progression of cancer. These may provide an insight into the FLJ22447 activity that could introduce it as a potential value in tumor gene therapy.

Cytokine Interaction With Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly aggressive cancer with poor outcomes under current treatment regimens. More recent findings suggest stroma elements, specifically cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a role in disease occurrence and progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are largely the product of converted fibroblasts, but a variety of other local cell types including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and mesenchymal cells have also been shown to transform to CAFs under the correct conditions. Cancer-associated fibroblasts primarily function in the communication between the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells via cytokine and chemokine secretions that accentuate immunosuppression and cancer growth. Cancer-associated fibroblasts also pose issues for EC treatment by contributing to resistance of current chemotherapeutics like cisplatin. Targeting this cell type directly proves difficult given the heterogeneity between CAFs subpopulations, but emerging research provides hope that treatment is on the horizon. This review aims to unravel some of the complexities surrounding CAFs’ impact on EC growth and therapy.

Targeting the Microenvironment in Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most common type of cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. At present, the clinical treatment for EC is based mainly on radical surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, due to the limited efficacy of conventional treatments and the serious adverse reactions, the outcome is still unsatisfactory (the 5-year survival rate for patients is less than 25%). Thus, it is extremely important and urgent to identify new therapeutic targets. The concept of tumor microenvironment (TME) has attracted increased attention since it was proposed. Recent studies have shown that TME is an important therapeutic target for EC. Microenvironment-targeting therapies such as immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy have played an indispensable role in prolonging survival and improving the prognosis of patients with EC. In addition, many new drugs and therapies that have been developed to target microenvironment may become treatment options in the future. We summarize the microenvironment of EC and the latest advances in microenvironment-targeting therapies in this review.

Protective Effect of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome against Hepatocyte Apoptosis Induced by Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion with Partial Hepatectomy Injury

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an inevitable complication of liver surgery and liver transplantation. Hepatocyte apoptosis plays a significant role in the pathological process of hepatic IRI. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are known to repair and regenerate damaged tissues by producing bioactive factors, including cytokines, exosomes, and extracellular matrix components, which collectively form the secretome of these cells. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of the ADSCs secretome after liver ischemia-reperfusion combined with partial hepatectomy in miniature pigs. We successfully established laparoscopic liver ischemia-reperfusion with partial hepatectomy in miniature pigs and injected saline, DMEM, ADSC-secretome, and ADSCs directly into the liver parenchyma immediately afterwards. Both ADSCs and the ADSC-secretome improved the IR-induced ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes and significantly decreased the proportion of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells along with caspase activity. Consistent with this, P53, Bax, Fas, and Fasl mRNA and protein levels were markedly decreased, while Bcl-2 was significantly increased in the animals treated with ADSCs and ADSC-secretome. Our findings indicate that ADSCs exert therapeutic effects in a paracrine manner through their secretome, which can be a viable alternative to cell-based regenerative therapies.

Combined detection of peripheral blood VEGF and inflammation biomarkers to evaluate the clinical response and prognostic prediction of non-operative ESCC

An association between angiogenesis/inflammation status and tumor has been reported in various types of cancer. This study sought to assess the role of peripheral blood VEGF and some inflammation biomarkers in evaluating clinical response and prognosis in patients with non-operative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Peripheral blood of 143 patients with non-operative ESCC at our institute was dynamically collected at 5 time points including 1 day before radiotherapy, during radiotherapy (15f), at the end of radiotherapy, 1 month after radiotherapy, and 3 months after radiotherapy. VEGF expression in the peripheral blood was detected and related inflammation biomarkers such as GPS, CAR and CLR were counted. Logistic regression and Cox regression were implemented respectively to analyze the correlation of each predictor with clinical response and prognosis. The performance of combined testing was estimated using AUCs. Based on independent predictors, a nomogram prediction model was established to predict the probabilities of 1- and 2-year PFS of patients. The effectiveness of the nomogram model was characterized by C-index, AUC, calibration curves and DCA. VEGF and CLR levels at the end of radiotherapy were independent predictors of clinical response, while VEGF and GPS levels at 3 months after radiotherapy were independent prognostic predictors. The efficacy of combined detection of VEGF and CLR is superior to the single detection in evaluating clinical response and prognosis. The nomogram showed excellent accuracy in predicting PFS. The combined detection of VEGF and CLR at the end of radiotherapy can be used to evaluate the clinical response of patients with non-operative ESCC, and the combined detection of VEGF and GPS 3 months after radiotherapy can be used to predict the prognosis. Implemented by nomogram model, it is expected to provide practical and reliable method to evaluate the clinical response and prognosis of patients with non-operative ESCC tool.

ECM Remodeling in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Aerodigestive Tract: Pathways for Cancer Dissemination and Emerging Biomarkers

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) include a number of different types of tumors developing in the skin, in hollow organs, as well as the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) including the head and neck region and the esophagus which will be dealt with in this review. These tumors are often refractory to current therapeutic approaches with poor patient outcome. The most important prognostic determinant of SCC tumors is the presence of distant metastasis, significantly correlating with low patient survival rates. Rapidly emerging evidence indicate that the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and remodeling profoundly affect SSC metastatic dissemination. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge on the role of ECM and its remodeling enzymes in affecting the growth and dissemination of UADT SCC. Taken together, these published evidence suggest that a thorough analysis of the ECM composition in the UADT SCC microenvironment may help disclosing the mechanism of resistance to the treatments and help defining possible targets for clinical intervention.

ECM Remodeling in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Aerodigestive Tract: Pathways for Cancer Dissemination and Emerging Biomarkers

Simple Summary

Local and distant metastasis of patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract predicts poor prognosis. In the latest years, the introduction of new therapeutic approaches, including targeted and immune therapies, has improved the overall survival. However, a large number of these patients do not benefit from these treatments. Thus, the identification of suitable prognostic and predictive biomarkers, as well as the discovery of new therapeutic targets have emerged as a crucial clinical need. In this context, the extracellular matrix represents a suitable target for the development of such therapeutic tools. In fact, the extracellular matrix is composed by complex molecules able to interact with a plethora of receptors and growth factors, thus modulating the dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the role of the extracellular matrix in affecting squamous cell carcinoma growth and dissemination. Despite extracellular matrix is known to affect the development of many cancer types, only a restricted number of these molecules have been recognized to impact on squamous cell carcinoma progression. Thus, we consider that a thorough analysis of these molecules may be key to develop new potential therapeutic targets/biomarkers.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) include a number of different types of tumors developing in the skin, in hollow organs, as well as the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) including the head and neck region and the esophagus which will be dealt with in this review. These tumors are often refractory to current therapeutic approaches with poor patient outcome. The most important prognostic determinant of SCC tumors is the presence of distant metastasis, significantly correlating with low patient survival rates. Rapidly emerging evidence indicate that the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and remodeling profoundly affect SSC metastatic dissemination. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge on the role of ECM and its remodeling enzymes in affecting the growth and dissemination of UADT SCC. Taken together, these published evidence suggest that a thorough analysis of the ECM composition in the UADT SCC microenvironment may help disclosing the mechanism of resistance to the treatments and help defining possible targets for clinical intervention.

Combination of HGF/MET-targeting agents and other therapeutic strategies in cancer

MET receptor has emerged as a druggable target across several human cancers. Agents targeting MET and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) including small molecules such as crizotinib, tivantinib and cabozantinib or antibodies including rilotumumab and onartuzumab have proven their values in different tumors. Recently, capmatinib was approved for treatment of metastatic lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping. In this review, we critically examine the current evidence on how HGF/MET combination therapies may take advantage of synergistic effects, overcome primary or acquired drug resistance, target tumor microenvironment, modulate drug metabolism or tackle pharmacokinetic issues. Preclinical and clinical studies on the combination of HGF/MET-targeted agents with conventional chemotherapeutics or molecularly targeted treatments (including EGFR, VEGFR, HER2, RAF/MEK, and PI3K/Akt targeting agents) and also the value of biomarkers are examined. Our deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying successful pharmacological combinations is crucial to find the best personalized treatment regimens for cancer patients.

Inhibitory Effects of Pectic Polysaccharide Isolated from Diospyros kaki Leaves on Tumor Cell Angiogenesis via VEGF and MMP-9 Regulation

Persimmon leaves are an attractive source of phytochemicals with potential health benefits. However, there are only a few reports on the chemical properties and biological activity of the polysaccharide fractions (PLE-I-III) of persimmon leaves. We evaluated the angiogenesis-inhibiting ability of pectic-polysaccharides. The molecular weight of PLEs was determined using a high-performance size-exclusion chromatography system. Tube formation assay of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was performed using Matrigel-coated 96-well plates. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), PI3K, Akt, and p38 phosphorylation levels were determined using Western blotting; VEGF and MMP-9 transcript levels were measured using SYBR Green qRT-PCR. PLE-I-III significantly inhibited HUVEC tube formation at 12.5 and 25 μg/mL. Among them, PLE-II showed the strongest anti-tube formation activity, and the mRNA/protein expression of angiogenesis-related factors (VEGF/MMP-9) was significantly reduced by PLE-II. PLE-II also suppressed the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT and p38, JNK, and NF-κB p65 in HUVECs. These results suggest that the polysaccharide PLE-II isolated from persimmon leaves inhibited VEGF and MMP-9 expression in HUVECs via regulation of PI3K/AKT, p38, JNK, and NF-κB p65 signaling pathways.

Tumor Angiogenesis and Anti-Angiogenic Strategies for Cancer Treatment

Angiogenesis is the process through which novel blood vessels are formed from pre-existing ones and it is involved in both physiological and pathological processes of the body. Furthermore, tumor angiogenesis is a crucial factor associated with tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. In this manner, there has been a great interest in the development of anti-angiogenesis strategies that could inhibit tumor vascularization. Conventional approaches comprise the administration of anti-angiogenic drugs that target and block the activity of proangiogenic factors. However, as their efficacy is still a matter of debate, novel strategies have been focusing on combining anti-angiogenic agents with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Moreover, nanotechnology has also been investigated for the potential of nanomaterials to target and release anti-angiogenic drugs at specific sites. The aim of this paper is to review the mechanisms involved in angiogenesis and tumor vascularization and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.

Potential Role of circPVT1 as a proliferative factor and treatment target in esophageal carcinoma

Background

Many circRNAs have been reported to play important roles in cancer development and have the potential to serve as a novel class of biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. However, the role of circRNAs in esophageal carcinoma (EC) remains unclear. In the current study, we investigated the potential role of circPVT1 in esophageal carcinoma.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect circPVT1 levels. CircPVT1-specific siRNA or plasmids were used to knock down or overexpression the target RNA. Hoechst Staining was implemented to evaluate the ratio of cell apoptosis. Transwell migration assays were carried out to study the effects of circPVT1 on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell invasion. RegRNA 2.0 was used for bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of Pax-4, Pax-6, PPARα and PPAR-γ were assessed using Western blot.

Results

In the present study, we demonstrated a significant up-regulation of circPVT1 levels in EC tissues and cancer cell lines. The levels of circPVT1 decreased significantly when the cells were maintained to over-confluence. These results suggested a potential role for circPVT1 in cell proliferation. In addition, overexpressing circPVT1 in TE-10 cell promoted invasive ability of cancer cell. In contrast, siRNA knockdown of circPVT1 inhibited this phenomenon, leading to increased apoptosis levels of TE-10 cell. What’s more, miR-4663 had the effect of inhibiting tumor growth by downregulated Paxs and upregulated PPARs. Whereas, after the addition of circPVT1, this effect no longer worked, suggesting that circPVT1 may affect the malignancy of the tumor by affecting miRNA and regulating the levels of Paxs and PPARs.

Conclusions

Collectively, our study reveals a critical role for circPVT1 in esophageal carcinoma, which may provide new insights of this circRNA as a biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment target of EC.

Targeting the overexpressed USP7 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell growth by inducing NOXA-mediated apoptosis

Increasing evidence suggests that deubiquitinase USP7 participates in tumor progression by various mechanisms and serves as a potential therapeutic target. However, its expression and role in esophageal cancer remains elusive; the anti-cancer effect by targeting USP7 still needs to be investigated. Here, we reported that USP7 was overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues compared with adjacent tissues, implying that USP7 was an attractive anticancer target of ESCC. Pharmaceutical or genetic inactivation of USP7 inhibited esophageal cancer cells growth in vitro and in vivo and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, inhibition of USP7 accumulated poly-ubiquitinated proteins, activated endoplasmic reticulum stress, and increased expression of ATF4, which transcriptionally upregulated expression of NOXA and induced NOXA-mediated apoptosis. These results provide an evidence for clinical investigation of USP7 inhibitors for the treatment of ESCC.