Therefore, our finding that sIL-2R is associated with PD-L1 and pAkt(Ser-473) has implications in relation to tumor biology and host-tumor interactions, suggesting that it may be worthwhile to determine the molecular mechanisms through which sIL-2R, PD-L1, and pAkt act cooperatively or independently in the tumor microenvironment. The gene discussed is CD274; the disease is neoplasm.