As validation, confocal images of multiplexed immunofluorescence (mIF) with co-staining CD3, CD86 and CD11c in stromal compartments of three cancer types (i.e., anaplastic thyroid cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer), revealed the consistent existence of CD3+ DCs (CD3+CD11c+CD86+) (Supplementary Fig. S1i), ranging from 3 to 13% of myeloid cells (CD11c+) (Supplementary Fig. S1j), which has also been reported through flow cytometry31. The gene discussed is ITGAX; the disease is colorectal cancer.