In a previous study, we could show that PD‐L1 expression in OSCC tissue is significantly upregulated compared to healthy oral mucosal specimens.7 Additionally, patients with lymph node metastases (N+) showed significantly increased PD‐L1 expression in peripheral blood compared to N0 patients.7 These results underline that besides local expression in tumor tissue, the systemic immune cell‐based expression of immune checkpoints should be considered. Here, CD274 is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.