While the role of MMP1, 3, 7 and 9 have previously been described in head and neck cancer [37], [38], [39], we set to ask if remaining 5 of 9 matrix metalloproteinases (MMP10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) along with 3 hallmark genes CXCL13, CCNB1 and SNAI2, as described in Table S12— also play a role in head and neck cancer. Here, SNAI2 is linked to head and neck cancer.