miR-148a Regulates the Stem Cell-Like Side Populations Distribution by Affecting the Expression of ACVR1 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant tumor disease with high mortality and morbidity rates, especially for a terminal cancer. At present, the prognosis and treatment of ESCC cannot effectively control or inhibit the spread and proliferation of tumor cells. microRNAs, a class of small spliced RNAs, are essential in the regulation of tumorigenesis and tumor cell migration and proliferation.