Consistent with the finding that hCEA-specific CD8+ T-cell response prevented intestinal tumour relapse, we found that hCEA expression by intestinal tumour cells was a crucial determinant for preventing tumour relapse because VLP-hCEA immunization led to the enhanced survival of hCEA-Tg/ApcMin/+ mice (with hCEA expression in intestinal polyps) relative to that of ApcMin/+ mice (no hCEA expression) (Fig. 6b). This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and intestinal neoplasm.