Ivermectin inhibits the growth of ESCC by activating the ATF4-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy pathway

• Ivermectin suppresses ESCC growth by activating the ATF4-mediated ER stress-autophagy pathway. • Transcriptome analysis identifies ATF4 and DDIT3 as key mediators of ivermectin-induced ER stress. • Ivermectin treatment inhibits ESCC xenograft tumor growth in nude mice, demonstrating in vivo efficacy. • Ivermectin represents a promising repurposed drug candidate for ESCC therapy.