Fig. 1

SOR-resistant HCC exhibits increased levels of M2 TAMs and CSCs. A Tumor tissue and corresponding non-tumor tissue of HCC were stained for CD204 (green). The staining was visualized by IF microscopy. Magnification: 200 × , scale bar: 20 μm. B Paired samples of tumor and normal liver tissue from 109 HCC patients containing 19 with SOR and 90 without SOR were subjected to IF staining for CD204. The results were quantified and represented on the dot plot graph. C The bar graph depicts the percentage of CD204 expression in tumor tissues of the SR patients and SNR patients measured by IF staining. *P < 0.05 vs. the SR group. D Tumor tissues of SR HCC and SNR HCC were double stained for CD44 (red) and CD133 (green), and the staining was visualized by IF microscopy. White arrows indicate CD44⁺/CD133⁺ HCC cells. Magnification: 200 × , scale bar: 20 μm. The bar graph depicts the percentage of CD44⁺/CD133⁺ expression in tumor tissues of the SR patients and SNR patients