LSF expression and its prognostic implication in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cause of cancer death. Therapy failure was the first cause of death. LSF is a transcription factor regulating gene expression of angiogenesis, tumor invasion and proliferation, and is identified as a chemoresistant gene. Real-time PCR and Western blot to analyze mRNA and protein expression of LSF in 23 paired CRC samples. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect protein expression of LSF in 166 paired CRC samples. Both LSF mRNA and protein were upregulated in CRC. High LSF expression in CRC correlated with large tumor size, advanced pN stage, advanced AJCC stage and high Ki-67 index (P < 0.001). High expression of LSF favored worse prognosis. 5-year survival rates of LSF high and low expression were 39.6% and 78.6%, respectively. The 5-year median OS were 34 months and 57 months, respectively. LSF is an important mediator in CRC tumorigenesis and progression, and LSF expression is an important index for and prognostic prediction.