Fig. 3

Localization of macrophages in the TME correlates with clinical outcome in ESCC patients. A Representative IHC images showing the differential distribution and morphology of CD68⁺ and CD163⁺ macrophages (MØs) in ESCC specimens (scale bars, 50 μm). B Comparison of the distribution of CD68⁺ and CD163⁺ MØs in ESCC carcinoma nest and stroma. C/D Prognostic values of stromal CD68⁺ and CD163⁺ MØs in ESCC patients in the generation and validation datasets were assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. (E/F) Correlation between α-SMA_{(invasive front)} and stromal CD163⁺ MØs in ESCC patients, as estimated by non-parametric Spearman correlation analysis. (G/H) Kaplan–Meier curves showing the prognostic value of a combined index composed of α-SMA⁺ CAFs_{(invasive front)} and stromal CD163⁺ MØs