Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 4 µm thin FFPE tissue sections as previously described [29 (link)], using automated slide stainers BenchMark (Ventana Medical System-Roche) and Leica Bond-III, (Leica Biosystems,), according to manufacturer’s instructions. To characterize lymphocytic infiltrate, CD3 (clone 2GV6, ready to use), CD4 (clone SP35, ready to use), and CD8 (clone SP57, ready to use) monoclonal antibodies (Roche) were applied on tissue sections for 15 min at 25 °C. Monoclonal antibody directed to nuclear transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) (clone D2W8E, 1:250, Cell Signaling Technology) was utilized to identify regulatory T cells. CD68 (clone KP-1, ready to use, Roche), and CD163 (clone MRQ-26, Roche) monoclonal antibodies were employed to identify macrophages and M-2 like macrophages, respectively [33 (link)]. Intra-tumoral vascularization was assessed by using CD31 monoclonal antibody (clone JC70A, ready to use, Dako). Sections were counterstained with hematoxylin.
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