Knockdown of KLF17 significantly reduced CDH1, TJP1 and CTNNB1 expression with concomitant increase of CDH2, VIM and FN1. In a cohort of human breast cancers, KLF17 was found to be decreased in lymph node positive when compared to lymph node negative tumors, hereby indicating a prognostic value. The gene discussed is FN1; the disease is breast carcinoma.