In multivariable analysis, this effect was seen independently of patients’ age, tumor stage, tumor grade or chemotherapy sequence (Table 4), and the data suggest that an ALDH1(+) residual tumor at the end of chemotherapy is an independent prognostic factor for survival in locally advanced breast cancer (P = 0.024, HR 4.61 95% CI = 1.30 to 23.00). The gene discussed is ALDH1A1; the disease is breast cancer.