ELF3 overexpression as prognostic biomarker for recurrence of stage II colorectal cancer

Background/Aim: Adjuvant chemotherapy for highrisk Stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) is weakly recommended; however, no consensus exists on "high-risk" definition. Prognostic biomarker identification is important for selecting patients with poor prognosis who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Using Microarray data analyses, ELF3 was identified as a candidate gene highly expressed in Stage II CRC with distant recurrences. ELF3 mRNA expression in 168 Stage II CRC patients was subjected to quantitative RT-PCR analysis and ELF3 protein expression in 185 patients was quantified by immunohistochemical analysis. The relationship between mRNA and protein expression levels and patient characteristics were also investigated. Results: The overall recurrence rate and relapsefree survival were significantly poorer in the ELF3 highexpression than the low-expression group at the mRNA and protein levels. High ELF3 mRNA and protein expression levels were independent poor prognostic factors. Conclusion: High ELF3 expression was associated with recurrence of Stage II.