Neoadjuvant therapy–associated malignant phenotype score predicts prognosis and highlights the roles of MIF signaling and DUXAP8 in ESCC

This study establishes NTAMPS as a novel malignant cell-derived prognostic signature for ESCC by integrating single-cell and bulk transcriptomic data. NTAMPS enables effective prognostic stratification, predicts potential immunotherapy benefit, and highlights therapeutic vulnerabilities. DUXAP8 was further identified as a candidate molecular driver that may improve ESCC management in the context of neoadjuvant therapy.