The T cell graveyard or responder trap phenomenon describes an accumulation of apoptotic, activated CD8+ T cells in the liver.6,7 This mechanism is mediated by Kupfer cell (KC) expression of FasL & nitric oxide, CD8+ T cell upregulation of LFA-1, antigen presentation by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) & hepatocyte and intrahepatic expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18.6,7 In contrast, we describe a tumor- and liver-specific mechanism where extrahepatic tumor signals cause the overexpression of an intermediate macrophage cell population. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is neoplasm.