Furthermore, multivariate cox regression analysis indicated that a high Treg/Tef level (p = 0.001) and vascular invasion (p = 0.016) were independent prognostic factors for 5-year OS in HCC (Supplementary Fig. 12d left panel, Supplementary Table 6), and a high Treg/Tef level (p = 0.003) and low tumor differentiation level (p = 0.031) were independent prognostic factors for 5-year RFS in HCC (Supplementary Fig. 12d right panel, Supplementary Table 7). Here, TEF is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.