CD8A and familial pancreatic carcinoma: Pancreatic cancer is thought to be immune‐quiescent, as a variety of immune‐suppressive mechanisms can inhibit antitumor immunity.18 Low expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on pancreatic cancer cells inhibits T‐cell activation.19 CD8+ T cells are activated by interaction with antigen presented by MHC class I molecules on antigen‐presenting cells.