Our meta-analysis confirmed that high densities of TILs, CD3+TILs, CD4+TILs, CD8+TILs and CD20+TILs in the tumour nest are favourable prognostic biomarkers for patients with NSCLC, and Foxp3+TILs in the tumour stroma are a poor prognostic biomarker. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.