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. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.