It was noted that memory CD4 T cells (CD4+CD69+) were enriched in liver cancers with low clonality, while proliferative pre-exhausted CD4 T cells (CD4+MKI67+CXCL13+) were enriched liver cancers with high clonality and a major source of cytokines and chemokines. This evidence concerns the gene MKI67 and liver cancer.