Reduced Krüppel-like factor 17 (KLF17) expression correlates with poor survival in patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

Background and aims: To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of Krüppel-like factor 17 (KLF17) in human gastric cancer.

Methods: KLF17 expressions in 158 paraffin-embedded gastric cancer samples were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. In addition, KLF17 expressions patterns in three fresh gastric cancer tissues and noncancerous gastric mucosa were examined by Western blotting. The correlation between KLF17 expression and clinicopathological factors as well as patient survival was investigated.

Results: Immunohistochemical staining data indicated that KLF17 expression was significantly decreased in 98 of 158 gastric adenocarcinoma cases. Reduced KLF17 expression in fresh gastric cancer tissues was confirmed by Western blotting. Reduced expression of KLF17 was strongly correlated with tumor size, pN stage and lymphovascular invasion. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified KLF17 expression as an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (HR = 0.481, 95% CI = 0.225-0.665, p = 0.009) and disease-free survival (HR = 0.438, 95% CI = 0.254-0.758, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: The reduced expression of KLF17 protein in gastric cancer was correlated with tumor size, pN stage and lymphovascular invasion and was an independent predictor for poor survival in patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.

Keywords: Immunohistochemistry; KLF17; Prognosis; Stomach neoplasms; Western blotting.