食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）是一种常见且致命的消化道恶性肿瘤。最近的研究发现长链非编码 RNA (lncRNA) 是 ESCC 发病机制的关键调节因子。这些lncRNA通常超过200个核苷酸，通过各种机制调节基因表达，包括竞争性内源RNA (ceRNA)途径和RNA-蛋白质相互作用。本研究回顾了lncRNA在ESCC中的多方面作用，强调它们参与增殖、迁移、侵袭、上皮间质转化、细胞周期进展、放化疗抵抗、糖酵解、细胞凋亡、血管生成、自噬、肿瘤生长等过程、转移和癌症干细胞的维持。 HLA 复合体 P5、LINC00963 和 NFAT 非编码阻遏蛋白等特定 lncRNA 已被证明可以通过调节 AKT 信号传导和 microRNA 相互作用等途径来增强对放疗和化疗的抵抗力，从而促进细胞在治疗应激下的存活和增殖。此外，具有序列相似性的lncRNA家族83、成员A反义RNA 1、含有1反义RNA 1的锌指NFX1型和牛磺酸上调基因1涉及通过ceRNA机制增强ESCC细胞的侵袭和增殖能力，同时与RNA 结合蛋白进一步影响癌细胞的行为。综合分析强调了lncRNA作为食管鳞癌预后和治疗靶点生物标志物的潜力，为未来研究重点阐明lncRNA在食管鳞癌治疗中的详细分子机制和临床应用提供了途径。

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent and deadly malignancy of the digestive tract. Recent research has identified long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as crucial regulators in the pathogenesis of ESCC. These lncRNAs, typically exceeding 200 nucleotides, modulate gene expression through various mechanisms, including the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) pathway and RNA‑protein interactions. The current study reviews the multifaceted roles of lncRNAs in ESCC, highlighting their involvement in processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial‑mesenchymal transition, cell cycle progression, resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, glycolysis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, autophagy, tumor growth, metastasis and the maintenance of cancer stem cells. Specific lncRNAs like HLA complex P5, LINC00963 and non‑coding repressor of NFAT have been shown to enhance resistance to radio‑ and chemotherapy by modulating pathways such as AKT signaling and microRNA interaction, which promote cell survival and proliferation under therapeutic stress. Furthermore, lncRNAs like family with sequence similarity 83, member A antisense RNA 1, zinc finger NFX1‑type containing 1 antisense RNA 1 and taurine upregulated gene 1 are implicated in enhancing invasive and proliferative capabilities of ESCC cells through the ceRNA mechanism, while interactions with RNA‑binding proteins further influence cancer cell behavior. The comprehensive analysis underscores the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic targets in ESCC, suggesting avenues for future research focused on elucidating the detailed molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of lncRNAs in ESCC management.