The frequency of PDCD-1 rs36084323 CT genotype was lower in HCC TNM III/IV compared to that in HCC TNM I/II and reduced the risk of TNM grade (CT vs. C/C-T/T: OR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.37–0.87, P = 0.049). Here, PDCD1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.