To demonstrate the activation of the IL-6R/STAT3 pathway in CRC cells in the TB area, representative images of double immunofluorescence of AE1/AE3 and pSTAT3 was shown in Fig. 6F. At a higher magnification of the invasive margin without TB (depth 4), AE1/AE3-positive CRC cells were negative for pSTAT3 (Fig. 6G). Here, IL6R is linked to colorectal carcinoma.