Provided are methods and compositions for a combination therapy for liver disorders such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Also provided is a method for determining the effectiveness of therapy involving tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib. The method comprises determining the status of PD-1 on T cells, and based on a change in the level of PD-1 on certain cells, a determination of the effectiveness of the tyrosine kinase, and an indication for a combination therapy comprising a lower dose of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a PD-1 inhibitor can be made.