Table 1 Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of the characteristics in TIME and 3-year overall survival in the internal cohort

AJCC stage

1.364 (1.052–1.769)

N status

1.706 (1.229–2.368)

1.453 (1.022–2.065)

Lauren’s classification

0.958(0.648–1.416)

IMs expressed on CD8⁺T cells in TIME

 CD8⁺TILs density

0.995 (0.990–1.000)

 PD-1 density

1.000 (0.994–1.007)

 PD-1⁺CD8⁺TILs density

1.001 (0.992–1.010)

 PD-1⁺CD8⁺TILs (%)

4.586 (1.654–12.717)

5.857 (1.915–17.919)

 TIM-3 density

1.006 (0.993–1.019)

 TIM-3⁺CD8⁺TILs density

1.098 (0.949–1.270)

 TIM-3⁺CD8⁺TILs (%)

6.819 (1.990–23.365)

 PD-L1 density

0.999 (0.995–1.004)

 PD-L1⁺CD8⁺TILs density

1.744 (1.183–2.572)

 PD-L1⁺CD8⁺TILs (%)

10.933(3.608–33.128)

12.410 (3.885–39.639)

Immune cells in TIME

 CD3⁺ TILs density

0.999 (0.997–1.001)

 CD8⁺ TILs density

0.995 (0.990–1.000)

 CD8 to CD3 ratio

0.031 (0.002–0.521)

0.128 (0.029–0.566)

 CD45RO⁺ TILs density

0.999 (0.997–1.001)

 CD11c⁺ cells density

0.929 (0.810–1.065)

 CD20⁺ cells density

0.981 (0.898–1.071)

 CD68⁺ cells density

1.033 (0.972–1.097)

 CD163⁺ cells density

1.085 (0.985–1.196)

 CD163 to CD68 ratio

3.215 (0.747–13.839)

 Foxp3⁺ Tregs density

0.538 (0.273–1.061)