Overexpression of low-molecular-weight caldesmon is associated with aggressive phenotypes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells

Table 3 Low-molecular-weight isoform of caldesmon expression in breast cancer cases and its association with clinicopathological characteristics, n = 51, n (%)

Parameter	Category	Total	L-CAD-negative	L-CAD-positive	P value
Age in years	< 40	9 (18)	4	5	-
	≥ 40	42 (82)	19	23
Histological stage	Early: 1-2	15 (29)	6	9	-
	Late: 3-4	36 (71)	17	19
Ki-67 index	< 50%	21 (41)	11	10	-
	≥ 50%	30 (59)	12	18
Lymphatic invasion	Absent = 0	29 (57)	17	12	0.025865
	Present = 1	22 (43)	6	16
In situ component	Absent	28 (55)	16	12	0.056477
	Present	23 (45)	7	16
HER2 status	HER2+	10 (20)	2	8	0.000277
	HER2-	41 (80)	19	22
E2/PR	E2+/PR+	31 (61)	16	15	0.005555
	E2+/PR-	3 (6)	2	1
	E2-/PR+	5 (10)	2	3
	E2-/PR-	12 (24)	2	10

Immunohistochemistry was performed on 51 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer specimens using a semi-quantitative scoring system. P values were calculated using MS Excel and the Vassar Stats Web-based statistical program. All P values were two-tailed, and P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. ER: Estrogen receptor; l-CAD: Low-molecular-weight isoform of caldesmon; PR: Progesterone receptor.