The factors that can contribute to the increased susceptibility of pleural effusion CD8+ T-cells to AICD are the following: (a) gangliosides released by lung tumor or stromal cells, given that these molecules sensitize activated T-cells to apoptosis in vitro [111, 112]; (b) diminished levels of CD3ε in CD8+ T-cells may lead to the dysfunction of CD8+ T-cell responses and enhanced T-cell apoptosis [80]; (c) the chronic presence of tumor antigens and damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) secreted by tumor or stromal cells in the pleural compartment. The gene discussed is CD3E; the disease is neoplasm.