Table 9.

Analyses of IL-2, IFN-γ and TGF-β expression in LLABCs pre NAC and post NAC

Cytokines	Groups	Pre NAC				Post NAC
		Low/negative expression (n)	High expression (n)	Pearson Chi Square value (GPR versus PPR, PCR versus non PCR)	P value	Low/negative expression (n)	High expression (n)	Pearson Chi Square value (GPR versus PPR, PCR versus non PCR)	P value
IL-2 (n = 16)	Good pathological response (GPR, n = 9)	3	6	0.042	0.838	5	4	1.667	0.197
	Poor pathological response (PPR, n = 7)	2	5			6	1
	Pathological complete response (PCR, n = 6)	2	4	0.019	0.889	3	3	1.571	0.210
	Non pathological complete response (Non PCR, n = 10)	3	7			8	2
IFN-γ (n = 16)	Good pathological response (GPR, n = 9)	0	9	2.939	0.086	4	5	0.423	0.515
	Poor pathological response (PPR, n = 7)	2	5			2	5
	Pathological complete response (PCR, n = 6)	0	6	1.371	0.242	2	4	0.71	0.790
	Non pathological complete response (Non PCR, n = 10)	2	8			4	6
TGF-βa (n = 16)	Good pathological response (GPR, n = 9)	6	3	0.907	0.341	5	4	2.861	0.091
	Poor pathological response (PPR, n = 7)	3	4			1	6
	Pathological complete response (PCR, n = 6)	4	2	0.423	0.515	4	2	3.484	0.062
	Non pathological complete response (Non PCR, n = 10)	5	5			2	8

LLABCs large (≥3 cm) and locally advanced breast cancers (T3–4 N1–2 M0), NAC neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

^aTGF-β was scored as negative and positive.