Conversely, a low level of non-mitotic pSMAD2L-positive immune cells (CD45+_pHH3−_pSMAD2L+) within the stroma parts of cancer tissues was beneficial (OS: HR 0.65, CI 0.42–0.99, DFS: HR 0.69, CI 0.47–0.99) (Fig. 6f, g; Supplementary Fig. 5F). Here, PTPRC is linked to cancer.