Fig. 4

Association between MMP14 at the TSI in biopsy and the ENE site

MMP14 expression in the tumour nest (black arrowhead) and CAFs (green arrows) in metastatic LNs with ENE (a, c) and without ENE (b, e), and the matched biopsy (d, f) is consistent. MMP14 expression in the tumour nest (3+, c and d) and CAFs (positive, c and d). MMP14 expression in the tumour nest (1+, e and f) and CAFs (negative, e and f). Original magnification, a and b, left, 5× high power field (HPF); a and b, right, c–f, 40× HPF. TSI, tumour–stromal interface; ENE, extranodal extension; CAFs, cancer-associated fibroblasts; LN, lymph node