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.