The histopathological features of tumor tissue with or without α-SMA+ CAFs in the leading-edge area were further characterized, and showed that the presence of α-SMA+ CAFs at the invasive front form a fibrous barrier with CD163+ MØs to hinder immunologic effector cell infiltration (such as granzyme B+ immune cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), whereas the absence of α-SMA+ CAFs in the leading-edge area was associated with high intratumoral immune infiltration (Fig. 4C). This evidence concerns the gene GZMB and neoplasm.