In this context, it may be of importance that HPV+ HNSCCs contain a distinct population of PD-1 high expressing CD8 pos T cells [14], while the frequency of myeloid derived suppressor cells and tumor activated macrophages seems to be independent of HPV infection status in HNSCC [23]; an observation that could be reproduced in the present dataset. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.