Abstract:Objective To detect the expressions of β-catenin and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1(LEF1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues to investigate the relationship between their expression and the efficacy of radiotherapy and primarily explore the molecular signaling pathway of above gene functions. Methods Fifty-nine patients with locally advanced ESCC confirmed by biopsy and received radical radiotherapy from January 2010 to December 2016 were selected and divided into effective group and ineffective group.The expressions of β-catenin and LEF1 protein in esophageal carcinoma cells were detected by immunohistochemistry.Chi square test was used to analyze the associations of the expressions of β-catenin and LEF1 with the short-term efficacy of radiotherapy.Spearman correlation was used to analyze the relationship between β-catenin and LEF1. Results β- catenin was mainly expressed in cytoplasm and nucleus, while LEF1 protein was mainly expressed in nucleus.There was no significant difference in the positive expression rate of β-catenin in cytoplasm and nucleus between effective group and ineffective group (χ²=0.83, P=0.36), but there was statistical difference in it in nucleus between two groups(χ²=4.91, P=0.03).There was statistical difference in positive expression rate of LEF1 protein between two groups (χ²=6.11, P=0.01).There was a positive correlation between β-catenin expression and LEF1 expression (r_s=0.81, P<0.01). Conclusion Activation of Wnt pathway may exist in the radiation resistance of esophageal cancer.β-catenin can activate LEF1 in the nucleus after nuclear aggregation, which can activate downstream components and play a role in radiation resistance, thus affecting the short-term efficacy of radiotherapy in ESCC patients.