This protective function, however, is abrogated in HNSCC probably because they carry multiple alterations that bypass or cancel senescence, such as inactivation of p53, overexpression of cyclin D1 or CCNE1 (cyclin E), or loss of p16, which are all common events in HNSCC11, 32. The gene discussed is CCND1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.