ß-Catenin binding partners TCF4 and LEF1 differ with respect to their prognostic relevance in colorectal cancer

Aims: TCF4 and LEF-1 are members of the T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancor factor (LEF-1) family acting as central transcription mediators in the Wnt signalling pathway. By binding to ß-Catenin in the nucleus they activate the expression of multiple target genes mediating proliferation and invasion. Previous studies mainly investigated the function of TCF4 as both factors are thought to have the same functional capacity und comparable effects on tumorigenesis. Here we evaluated the expression pattern of TCF4 and LEF1 and their prognostic impact in colorectal carcinomas. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis o…