Next, we investigated another major subpopulation of CD14+ circulating monocytes, specifically CD14+HLA-DRhi cells that are likely to be precursors of tissue macrophages, to analyze whether cetuximab treatment alters their M1/M2 phenotypic skewing in HNSCC patients on the cetuximab neoadjuvant trial. This evidence concerns the gene CD14 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.