This apparent contradiction with the previous data may be explained by a different composition of the study population (e.g., UICC stage) and larger sample size in the present study, as well as the fact that in the current study, in contrast to the study of Seya et al., tumors also were stratified for MSI.38 In breast cancer, high lumican mRNA expression was correlated with prognostic factors indicating a worse disease outcome.39 However, low levels of lumican protein were associated with a shorter time to progression and a worse survival.40 Here, LUM is linked to breast cancer.