Cyclin D1, which functionally competes with the tumor suppressor genes retinoblastoma (Rb) and p16INK4, is widely recognized as an oncogene. P27KIP1, which inhibits the cyclin D1-CDK4 complex, is also a putative tumor suppressor gene. In order to evaluate the regulatory interaction of these molecules, a retrospective series of tissues from 66 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was evaluated immunohistochemically for the expressions of cyclin D1, Rb, p16INK4 and p27KIP1. The expressions of these molecules were correlated with the proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index as an indicator of cell proliferation. Cyclin D1 was overexpressed (++) in 28 cases (42%), Rb was lost (-) in 19 cases (24%), p16INK4 was lost (-) in 37 cases (56%) and p27KIP1 was lost (-) in 27 cases (41%). Taken together, disorder of at least one or more of these molecules was observed in 62 cases (92%). Expression of cyclin D1 and p16INK4 was negatively correlated (p<0.03), while expression of cyclin D1 and p27KIP1 was positively correlated (p<0.0004). We found strong overall correlation between expression of cyclin D1 and the PCNA index (p<0.0001), however expression of p16INK4 and p27KIP1 was significantly correlated with the PCNA index in tumors devoid of cyclin D1 overexpression (p<0.03 and p<0.02 respectively). Thus, it was found that cyclin D1 plays a major role and closely related to abnormal cell proliferation in esophageal cancer, however assessment of p16INK4 and p27KIP1 status, particularly in tumors devoid of cyclin D1 overexpression, is necessary for comprehensive evaluation of cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, expression of cyclin D1 is correlated with that of p16INK4 and p27KIP1 in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.