Accordingly, the inhibition of PD-L1 by using RNA interference (RNAi), blocking antibodies, or introducing two single point mutations in the two PD-1 signaling motifs ITIM and the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motif (ITSM) located within the cytoplasmic region of PD-1, abolished the tumor growth in immunocompetent, immunocompromised and PD-1-deficient tumor graft recipient mice. The gene discussed is CD274; the disease is neoplasm.