CD8A and cancer: TP53 is frequently defective in human cancers, including HCC, and its mutations can be caused by both viruses and chemicals.41 TP53 contributes to immune surveillance by recruiting CD8+ and T-helper cells, and its perturbations could promote an immunosuppressive environment.42,43 A recent study that analyzed 240 samples of HCC showed an increased rate of TP53 mutations in a group of tumors defined as “intermediate class”, characterized by a decreased immune infiltration and an immunosuppressive microenvironment.