EPCAM and neoplasm: The presence of PD-L1/PD-L2 and PD-1 proteins was significantly higher in the tumor tissues and both tumor cells (EpCAM+/CK8, 18+), as well as in the cells of the TME, including lymphocytes (CD3+/CD4+/CD8+), and macrophages (CD68+/CD163+) as compared to the epithelial cells and cells of SME within the tumor-adjacent normal tissues where only focal positivity was observed rarely.