Because of the general tolerance and immunosuppressive environment of the liver, once HCC has developed, this mechanism might protect the tumor and assist in its growth, further epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, and the development of a true tumor microenvironment, enhancing suppressive immunity such as the expression of PD-L1 and protecting cancer cells (Kubes and Jenne, 2018). The gene discussed is CD274; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.