PDCD1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: As the expression of stem cell markers in HCC is associated with PD-L1 expression and since anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody might also target CSCs, a dual blockade of the PD1/PD-L1 axis and PI3K-Akt pathway may be an option for treating patients with HCC showing stem cell features (Figure 2c) [74].