In fact, T cells in lymph nodes are activated, and CD8+ Tcms in tumour infiltrating T cells (TILs) are increased after anti-PD-1 therapy.26–28 In non-squamous cell lung cancer patients, the T cell repertoire of peripheral blood before and after nivolumab administration and of TILs in the resected tumour tissue was evaluated, and neo-antigen specific T cell clones appeared and increased transiently after PD-1 therapy.29 Peripheral blood T cells exhibiting memory and effector phenotypes in AGC patients may not necessarily possess anti-tumour activity. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is squamous cell lung carcinoma.