Expression Of Activating Transcription Factor 7 Is Correlated With Prognosis Of Colorectal Cancer

Background: It is important to identify some tumor-related factors for early detection, treatment, and evaluation of prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). In our study, we inveatigated the clinical and prognostic role of activating transcription factor 7 (ATF7) in CRC.Materials and Methods: Expression of ATF7 was detected with immunohistochemistry in 72 cases with complete follow-up data and post-operation tissue specimens. Correlation between ATF7 and other clinicopathological factors was calculated with Chi-square test and the impact of ATF7 on survival were analyzed with Log-rank test and Cox regression models.Results: Among 72 cases, ATF7 expression was detected in 43 cases (59.7%) and 29 cases (40.3%) without ATF7 expression. The correlation between ATF7 expression and pathological stage was investigated (P = 0.041). The 5-year overall survival (OS) of with or without ATF7 expression was 79% versus 51% respectively (P < 0.001) and the 5-year progression free survival (PFS) was 74% versus 41% (P < 0.001). The media OS was 69 months versus 52 months (P = 0.002) and the media PFS was 65 months versus 42 months (P = 0.002). ATF7 expression and numbers of lymph nodes involvement were prognostic factors for OS according to univariated and multivariated analysis and for PFS it was ATF7 expression and lymph nodes involvement.Conclusion: It is negatively related between ATF7 expression and pathological stage and positive correlation with OS and PFS in CRC. ATF7 expression is a favorable factor for survival of patients with CRC.