CD8A and neoplasm: The prognostic value of CD8+ TILs for HNSCC remains controversial.19–21 Since the prognosis of HPV- HNSCC is worse than that of HPV+ HNSCC, we first analysed HPV− HNSCC.22–24 In total, 101 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary HNSCC samples were selected by the following criteria: (1) surgical resection was the primary treatment, and no preoperative chemoradiotherapy was performed, (2) HPV status was known and (3) adequate IM and tumour centre (TC) areas were available for analysis.