The identification of the feedback loop of ATG7/Autophagy/FOXO3a/miR-145/PD-L1 pathway provides an important insight into understanding the oncogenic role of ATG7 in the promotion of human BC cell stem-like property, invasion, and tumorigenesis, suggesting that autophagy inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade maybe combined to be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human BC patients. The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is breast cancer.