Its ability to recruit immune effector cells such as CD8+ -T cells, Th1 cells and NK cells via CXCR3 signaling makes it a valuable modulator of the tumor immunological microenvironment, particularly in cancers such as melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, where high CXCL10 expression correlates with a favorable response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and better prognosis. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is cancer.