There is also strong evidence for an association between a high number of CD8+ lymphocytes and absence of lymph node metastases, lower tumour grade, presence of peritumoural lymphocytes, mismatch repair-deficient status and better survival (Ropponen et al, 1997; Naito et al, 1998; Chiba et al, 2004; Galon et al, 2006; Koch et al, 2006; Baker et al, 2007). The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is neoplasm.