Herein, we identify 3 distinct types of CD8+ T cell exclusion from the tumor core associated with tumor NOS2 and COX2 expression that correlate with poor survival: type I, restricted inflamed, with stromal restricted CD8+ T cell inflamed regions and elevated tumor NOS2 and COX2 expression; type II, developing immune deserts with limited CD8+ T cell penetration, high tumor COX2, and abated tumor NOS2 expression; and type III, mature immune deserts lacking both CD8+ T cells and tumor NOS2, as well as low tumor COX2, and elevated B7H4 expression. The gene discussed is VTCN1; the disease is neoplasm.