In conclusion, NUAK1 promotes PD-L1 expression through the activation of GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, thereby reducing the infilitration and activity of CD8+ T cells and leading to immune escape of HCC (Fig. 8). Our results reveal a new role of NUAK1 in tumor immune regulation, which has important implications for the identification of new immune predictors and the development of more predictors and therapeutic markers for HCC. Here, NUAK1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.