Fig. 6

Correlation analysis between RANK/RANKL expression at baseline in tumor or stroma and clinicopathological parameters. A: Representative image of RANK expression in tumor cells; B: Representative image of RANK expression in stromal cells; C: Representative image of RANKL expression in tumor cells; and D: Representative image of RANKL expression in stromal cells. The molecular surrogate subtype is indicated in parentheses, P denotes the selected patient. E: Correlation analysis between RANK/RANKL expression in tumor with Ki67, histological grade, ER and TILs using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. F: Correlation analysis between RANK/RANKL expression in stroma with Ki67, histological grade, ER and TILs using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Note that RANK expression in tumor cells positively correlates with Ki67, histological grade, and negatively correlates with estrogen receptor expression. Additionally, RANK expression in stroma is associated with high Ki67 levels. No significant correlation was found with RANKL expression