The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between cyclin A expression and efficacy of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The expression of cyclin A was examined in 48 newly diagnosed ESCC patients prior to treatment using the MaxVision immunohistochemistry method. The patients received four cycles of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy, the short-term treatment efficacy was evaluated and a 3-year follow-up was conducted. The response rate was greater in patients with positive cyclin A expression compared with those with negative expression (54.8 vs. 23.5%; χ(2)=4.373; P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis revealed that clinicopathological stage, degree of differentiation and expression of cyclin A were independent prognosis factors in patients with ESCC following paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. ESCC patients with positive cyclin A expression demonstrated an increased sensitivity to paclitaxel-based chemotherapy, suggesting that cyclin A may be used as a marker to predict the treatment efficacy of paclitaxel in patients with ESCC.