ECM1 and breast cancer: Univariate Cox regression revealed that UICC stage (HR = 1.51, P = 0.024), pN stage (HR = 2.18, P = 0.003), age (HR = 2.30, P = 0.029) along with CRYAB (HR = 1.26, P = 0.026), and ECM1 (HR = 1.42, P < 0.001) expression status are significantly associated to OS of BC patients, while other factors including histological grade, pT stage, pM stage and gender don't have effects on OS (Table 3).