Contributing to the enhanced anti-tumor efficacy of these combinations, we identify a novel role for FAK in regulating the expression of the immune checkpoint ligand PD-L2 on tumor-associated macrophages, monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and cancer cells, and in regulating expression of the immune co-stimulatory receptor Inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) on effector CD8 T-cells. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is cancer.