Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship of a functional variant (rs72552316)at microRNA-1265 (miR-1265) binding site in toll-like receptor 7 gene and the risk of esophageal cancer.Methods A single center-based case-control study was conducted.In this study,the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were used for genotype sequence variants of TLR7 in 204 esophageal cancer cases and 200 controls.The modification of rs72552316 on the binding of miR-1265 to TLR7 protein was measured by Immunohistochemistry assay.Results Individuals carrying the GG genotypes for the rs72552316 were associated significantly with increased risk of esophageal cancer comparing with those carrying wild-type homozygous CC genotypes (OR =2.180,95％CI=1.152-4.127,P =0.019).Furthermore,the expression of TLR7 was detected in the esophageal cancer tissue,suggesting that protein levels of TLR7 might be associated with SNP rs72552316.Conclusion Risk of esophageal cancer was associated with a functional variant at miR1265 binding site in toll-like receptor 7 gene.miR-1265/TLR7 axis may play an important role in the development of esophageal cancer.