Low tumor CD8+TIL count showed a trend toward poor HCC-specific survival (p = 0.092), with a hazard ratio (HR 0.36, 95%CI 0.08–1.64) that was of similar magnitude and direction as in the discovery (EMC) cohort (HR 0.22, 95%CI 0.05–0.93). Here, CD8A is linked to neoplasm.