CD8A and cancer: In various cancer experimental models, the NLRP3-pyroptosis axis induces tumor initiation and progression, supporting the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) [11, 12] On the other hand, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release by dendritic cells responding to DAMPs released from dying tumor cells are important in priming CD8+ T cells, thereby enhancing antitumor immunity [13].