Beclin1 (ATG6), an autophagy-specific gene that is essential for autophagosome induction and elongation, interacts with several apoptosis-related genes, such as bcl-2, bcl-xl and survivin.20 Therefore, YM155 may not only induce the apoptosis but also affect the autophagy in HNSCC. This evidence concerns the gene BIRC5 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.