Objective:To study the expression of discoidin domain receptor1(DDR1) protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) tissues. Methods:The expression of DDR1 protein was detected by Western blotting in 40 cases of ESCC tissues

para-cancer tissues

and matched esophageal normal tissues

and their relation to clinical pathologic characteristics of esophageal cancer was analyzed. Results:The expressionof DDR1 in ESCC(1.201±0.348)were significantly higher than those in para-cancer tissues(0.640±0.323)and normal esophageal tissues(0.551±0.413). The positive expression rate and relative content of DDR1 in ESCC were correlated with degrees of differentiation、lymphnode metastasis and invasion depth of carcinoma (P<0.05). Conclusions:These findings indicate that DDR1 protein may be closely associated with the incidence and development of ESCC. The upregulation of DDR1 is marked during the metastasis of ESCC.