Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibodies, are novel and promising therapies that have been effective in prolonging survival in advanced HCC patients (6–9). This evidence concerns the gene PDCD1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.