The esophageal cancer-susceptibility gene 2 (ECRG2), also known as SPINK7, is a novel tumor suppressor gene identified from the human esophagus. It interacts directly with metallothionein 2A and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and downregulates the activity of uPA, leading to reduced cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis. ECRG2 forms a complex with uPA and its receptor uPAR, modifying the dynamic association of uPAR with beta1 integrins and disrupting the Src/MAP kinase pathway that normally stimulates cell migration and invasion. ECRG2 may thus represent a novel therapeutic target for cancer.Synonyms: ECG2, Esophagus cancer-related gene 2 protein, MGC133105, MGC133106, SPINK7, Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 7, UNQ745/PRO1474