Approximately, 15-20% of all cancers are caused by viral infections. Two such viruses are Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). CD8+ T cells are one of the major immune cell populations important in controlling these two common pathogens. Our laboratory has been interested in understanding how CD8+ T cell responses are effective at keeping these persistent viruses under control. We have recently shown that tissue resident memory T cells (Trms) could play a critical role in controlling EBV infection, with this population being strategically positioned at sites of viral reactivation. In a separate study, we have also shown that tumour-resident CD8+ T (TR8) cells were associated with better patient survival when compared to total CD8+ T cells in melanoma. In this study, we are investigating the role of virally induced TR8 cells in enhancing tumour control. To this end, we have examined oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). There has been an increased incidence of OSCCs associated with HPV infection (HPV+ OSCC), while OSCC associated with smoking (HPV-OSCC) has been steadily decreasing. Additionally, patients with HPV+OSCC have shown to have a better prognosis compared to HPV-OSCC, therefore we are interested in understanding the immunological basis behind this clinical observation. Using a multiplex immune-fluorescent labelling technique, we sought to determine whether infiltration of TR8 cells correlate with HPV status and patient outcome. Preliminary work shows that there was heterogeneity of tumour infiltrating cells among all patient tumours. Furthermore, HPV+OSCC patients had a higher proposition of TR8 cells than in patients with HPV-OSCCs. How virally-induced TR8 cells provide protection and the potential mechanisms to boost these cells will be discussed.