Fig 2: Serum Tim-3 was elevated in HCC patients with poor outcomes. (A) Distribution of serum Tim-3 in HCC patients who had distinct progression after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the training set. (B) Proportion of progression in HCC patients with low and high serum Tim-3 levels after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the training set. (C) Distribution of serum Tim-3 in HCC patients who died vs those who survived after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the training set. (D) Proportion of death in HCC patients with low and high serum Tim-3 levels after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the training set. (E) Distribution of serum Tim-3 in HCC patients who died vs those who survived after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the validation set. (F) Proportion of progression in HCC patients with low and high serum Tim-3 levels after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the validation set. (G) Distribution of serum Tim-3 in HCC patients who died vs those who survived after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the validation set. (H) Proportion of death in HCC patients with low and high serum Tim-3 levels after receiving initial TACE treatment, in the validation set. HCC – hepatocellular carcinoma; sTIM3 – serum Tim-3; TACE – transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; Tim-3 – T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3.

Fig 3: Cox regression analysis of serum Tim-3 in HCC patients receiving TACE treatment. (A) Univariate Cox regression analysis for progression, in the training set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (B) Univariate Cox regression analysis for overall survival, in the training set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (C) Univariate Cox regression analysis for progression, in the validation set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (D) Univariate Cox regression analysis for overall survival, in the validation set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (E) Multivariate Cox regression analysis for progression, in the training set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (F) Multivariate Cox regression analysis for overall survival, in the training set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (G) Multivariate Cox regression analysis for progression, in the validation set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (H) Multivariate Cox regression analysis for overall survival, in the validation set, when the patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. HCC – hepatocellular carcinoma; TACE – transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; Tim-3 – T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3.

Fig 4: Dynamic changes in serum Tim-3 during the peri-TACE period predicted poor prognosis. (A) Kaplan-Meier curve analysis for progression, in the training set, when patients were stratified according to their peri-TACE period serum Tim-3 levels. (B) Kaplan-Meier curve analysis for death, in the training set, when patients were stratified according to their peri-TACE period serum Tim-3 levels. Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted and log-rank tests were performed. TACE – transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; Tim-3 – T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3.

Fig 5: Prognostic value of pre-TACE serum Tim-3 in the low-AFP subgroup. (A) Kaplan-Meier curve analysis for progression, in the training set, when AFP-low patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (B) Kaplan-Meier curve analysis for death, in the training set, when AFP-low patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (C) Kaplan-Meier curve analysis for progression, in the validation set, when AFP-low patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. (D) Kaplan-Meier curve analysis for death, in the validation set, when AFP-low patients were stratified into 2 subgroups according to serum Tim-3 levels. Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted and log-rank tests were performed. AFP – alpha-fetoprotein; TACE – transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; Tim-3 – T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3.