In contrast, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) activates dysfunctional immune cells, including helper T cell 17 (Th17) cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, CD8+/PD-1+ T cells and IgA+ plasma cells, disrupting tumor immune surveillance and inducing HCC.15,16. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.