Fig. 3. Ileal immune parameters are restored by OXA-based chemotherapy.

A Assessment of tumor loads by quantification of tumor areas in in situ, submucosal, muscular, and peritoneal tumors in Zeb2^IEC-Tg/+ mice treated with 5-FU + OXA or vehicle (PBS control). B Representative micrograph of CD3⁺ (left panel) and CD8⁺ (right panel, indicated with arrows) cell infiltrates by IHC staining in the tumors of Zeb2^IEC-Tg/+ mice treated by 5-FU + OXA or PBS control. Scale bar: 50 µm. C Quantification of CD3⁺ (upper panel) and CD8⁺ (lower panel) cell densities in tumors of Zeb2^IEC-Tg/+ mice (relative to IHC staining in B). Mann–Whitney U test P values are shown. D Heatmap showing Spearman correlation coefficients between ileum immune gene expression and CD8⁺ cell densities in tumors (quantified in C) of Zeb2^IEC-Tg/+ treated by 5-FU + OXA (or PBS control). CD8⁺ TILs were assessed by IHC and quantified in tumor areas with different degree of invasion. Significant correlations are indicated, *P < 0.05. CIS carcinoma in situ, SM submucosal tumor, IM muscle-invasive tumor, IP invasive tumor in the peritoneum; Total: total tumor area. E Spearman correlation between ileum immune genes and CD8⁺ cell densities in tumor. CD8⁺ TILs were assessed by IHC and quantified in tumor areas with different degrees of invasion. One dot represents one mouse; the black and dotted lines show the regression line and 95% confidence intervals, respectively. Spearman coefficients and P values are shown in the figures. CIS carcinoma in situ, SM submucosal tumor, IP invasive tumor in the peritoneum.