LEF1/NFE2L3/TACC1 axis activates the AKT-mTOR pathway to promote the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate below 20%, due to high recurrence and metastasis. Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) promotes ESCC progression via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness, but its downstream transcriptional targets remain unclear. This study aimed to identify novel therapeutic targets by elucidating the LEF1-mediated regulatory network in ESCC.