Previous studies have demonstrated a specific increase in CD8+ TILs and a decrease in FOXP3+, CD4+, CD20+ and CD68+ immune cells after NAC in breast cancer.31–35 The prevailing view is that recruitment of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells post-NAC is associated with a better outcome and that an immunological profile combining low/absence of immunosuppressive FOXP3 cells and high number of activated CD8+ T cells in residual breast tumors post-NAC is associated with improved survival,36 highlighting the importance of the balance between cytotoxic and suppressive T cells. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is breast carcinoma.