MELK and neoplasm: In a multicovariate Cox regression model, high MELK mRNA expression did not have independent prognostic value for PFS (P = 0.3721) or DMFS (P = 0.2853); however, compared with low MELK mRNA expression (<7), high MELK mRNA expression (≥7) was associated with shorter OS (HR = 1.791; 95% CI = 1.109–2.894; P = 0.0172), adjusted for tumor stage, IBC status, and TNBC status and stratified by the study centers (Table 3).