High circulating PD-L1 (HR 0.12, 95%CI 0.16–0.86, p = 0.011) and high circulating Galectin-9 (HR 0.11, 95%CI 0.15–0.85, p = 0.010) levels were both associated with improved HCC-specific survival. Here, CD274 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.