Statistical analyses
Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the groups.
The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional regression model were used
to estimate the mean/median survival rates, failure rates, and hazard
ratios (HRs). Log-rank test was used to compare the survival
distributions between groups. The prognostic ability of ALDH1 and CD44
were evaluated for DFS in both univariate and multivariable analyses.
DFS was defined as the time from diagnosis to any documented clinical
progression, relapse, or death from any cause. The results were reported
as mean±SD, median, number (n ) and percent (%). A p value
< 0.05 was considered significant. The analyses were performed
using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).