Examples of progressively increased genes included immune suppressive genes CD47 (protection of cancer cells from immune cell killing)10, CD276 (inhibition of immune responses)11 and CTLA4 (checkpoint molecule)12, while progressively decreased genes included ENTPD1 (expressed on tumor-specific T cells)13, granzyme B (GZMB), and perforin 1 (PRF1) (cytotoxic molecules produced by T lymphocytes and natural killer cells)14,15 (Supplementary Fig. 1). The gene discussed is CTLA4; the disease is cancer.