YM155 reduces the expression of survivin at the transcriptional level by moderating the 2 Kb promoter region of the survivin gene, and induces the dissociation of the paraspeckle 54 kDa regulatory nuclear RNA-binding protein (p54nrb) from interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3), which results in the different subcellular localizations of ILF3 and p54nrb and eventually in survivin downregulation.13 Therefore, YM155 is selected for the present study to explore the therapeutic efficacy of targeting survivin in HNSCC. The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.