To identify the MAPK-mediated signaling pathway that is associated with IL-8 treatment in HNSCC, the gene expressions of p38 MAPK, JNK and ERK in HNSCC cells that were treated with IL-8 (10 and 100 ng/ml) for 72 h were determined by RT-PCR analysis. The gene discussed is MAPK1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.