Strikingly, a significant rise in the number of CD11c+ DCs including CD11b+CD11c+, a potent driver of CD4+ helper T cell response [20], and CD11b− CD11c+ DCs [10] (Fig. 1e; Additional file 1: S1d), particularly migratory CD103+CD11c+ and resident CD8α+CD11c+ DCs, two major DC subsets that excel in the priming and cross-presentation of cell-associated antigens to CD8+ T cells [15, 20, 21], was found in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from orthotopic HCC mice treated with DEXP&A2&N compared to DEXP&A2 and PBS controls (Fig. 1f, g). Here, CD8A is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.