Forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) was identified as a direct target of miR-132 in thyroid cancer cells. miR-132 acts as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer through targeting FOXA1. According to androgen receptor (AR) and forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) are determined and a lack of both biomarkers is an independent poor prognostic factor in ER-positive tumors. FOXA1 is a transcription factor capable to bind silenced chromatin to direct context-dependent cell fate conversion. FOXA1 can be used as potential targets for ESCC therapy.