Various tumor-related immune cells such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), regulatory T (Treg) cells, and marrow-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a role in HCC progression (30, 31). This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and hepatocellular carcinoma.