Abstract: Objective To investigate DMRT2 protein and mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues, and analyze their relationships with clinicopathological data. Methods Using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry (IHC), the expression of DMRT2 were determined in 64 pairs ESCC tissues(observation group) and their corresponding normal esophageal tissues(control group), and we analyzed its correlation to the clinicopathological characteristics. Besides, we used QRT-PCR to detect DMRT2 mRNA expression in the observation group and control group. Results (1) The expression of DMRT2 protein in ESCC tissues was significantly lower than that in paraneoplastic normal esophageal tissues. (49.1% vs. 89.5%, χ²=17.926, P<0.001). (2) Low DMRT2 protein expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.026), but not associated with gender, tumor cell differentiation, general classification or stages. (3) QRT-PCR showed that DMRT2 mRNA expression in ESCC tissues was significantly lower than that in paraneoplastic normal esophageal tissues. Conclusion Low DMRT2 expression may be involved in the occurrence and development of ESCC, and may be correlated to tumour metastasis and recurrence.