Elevation of long non-coding RNA GAS5 and knockdown of microRNA-21 up-regulate RECK expression to enhance esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell radio-sensitivity after radiotherapy.

•Role of GAS5/miR-21 in radiosensitivity in ESCC cells is first explored.•Downregulated GAS5 and RECK and upregulated miR-21 exist in ESCC.•GAS5 and RECK increase and miR-21 decrease is found in radiation sensitive tissues.•GAS5 elevation and miR-21 silencing enhance ESCC cell radiosensitivity.•GAS5 acts as a ceRNA to absorb miR-21 and RECK is miR-21's target gene.