Zhang Q, Zhao X, Zhang C, et al. - Researchers focused on protein kinase, membrane associated tyrosine/threonine (PKMYT1) expression as well as its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). They found that tumor tissues and ESCC cell lines exhibited upregulation of PKMYT1. A correlation was found between higher expression of PKMYT1 and poorer overall survival in ESCC patients. As a result of knocking down PKMYT1 in ESCC cell lines KYSE70 and KYSE450, more cells skipped G2/M checkpoint to complete mitosis, leading to cell apoptosis promotion, cell proliferation inhibition, and prevention of the EMT phenotype in vitro. Meantime, AKT/mTOR signaling pathway suppression by down-regulated PKMYT1 in ESCC cells was also noted. Overall, an important role of PKMYT1 in ESCC progression was highlighted and it might represent a new target in the treatment of ESCC.