NTN4 expression was positively associated with CD8+ T cells (r = 0.117, P = 2.64e−04), macrophages (r = 0.247, P = 3.82e−15) and neutrophils (r = 0.07, P = 3.09e−02) in breast cancer whereas negatively with B cells (r = − 0.064, P = 4.62e−02) and tumor purity (r = − 0.187, P = 2.53e−09), but not DC (r = 0.004, P = 9.04e−01) (Fig. 5A). The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is breast cancer.