Given that PD‐L1hi B cells limit both memory B‐cell development and plasma cell differentiation (pathognomonic signs of MC) by interacting with PD‐1hi T cells,56, 57 we analysed the expression of PD‐1hi in CD4+ T cells and of PD‐L1hi in IgM+ CD19+ B lymphocytes from patients with HCC without HCV infection (n = 2), with HCV‐related HCC (n = 2) and with HCV‐related MC (n = 2). This evidence concerns the gene CD40LG and hepatocellular carcinoma.