Reducing expression of miR-196a or HOXB9 by anti-miR-196a (95% (B16) and 92% (D19)) and HOXB9 siRNA (62% (B16) and 48% (D19)), respectively (Figs 4A and 5A), reduced the ability of the OPM and HNSCC cells to migrate and invade into Matrigel (Figs 4C, 4D, 5C and 5D). This evidence concerns the gene HOXB9 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.