CD8A and cancer: The activation of killer cell lectin-like receptor K1 (KLRK1), also known as natural killer group 2D (NKG2D), within the KLR family, enables it to bind to KLRK1 ligands (NKG2DLs) present on the cancer cell surface, resulting in the activation of a variety of immune cells, including NK cells and CD8(+) T cells.[9] This immune response ultimately leads to death of cancer cells.