As demonstrated in previous studies, the phosphorylated form of 4E‑binding protein 1 (p‑4E‑BP1) may be a suitable tumor biomarker. The aim of the current study was to examine the expression status of p‑4E‑BP1 in colorectal cancer (CRC), in order to determine its clinical significance. The present study enrolled 89 patients with CRC that had undergone radical resection. Paired tumor and adjacent normal tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemistry to detect the protein expression of p‑4E‑BP1 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). The study identified 53 cases (59.6%) that exhibited moderate or high expression of p‑4E‑BP1 in tumor tissues, compared with little or no expression in the adjacent normal tissues. Conversely, PTEN protein expression was markedly lower in CRC compared with adjacent normal tissues. p‑4E‑BP1 protein upregulation tissues samples was consistent with PTEN downregulation in CRC samples. p‑4E‑BP1 overexpression was predominant in patients with metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. Moderate/high expression of p‑4E‑BP1 protein was significantly associated with adverse overall survival (OS) in patients. Statistical analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, indicated that p‑4E‑BP1 expression was an independent factor suitable for predicting OS in CRC patients, which was independent of lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, p‑4E‑BP1 protein expression appears to be upregulated in CRC, suggesting that it may be a suitable biomarker for predicting CRC prognosis.