With the recent FDA approval of anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibodies (Keytruda, Tecentriq, nivolumab), immunotherapy and immune checkpoint blocker (ICB) therapies have gained increased attention as novel strategies for treating patients with HCC (Makarova-Rusher et al., 2015). This evidence concerns the gene PDCD1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.