To specifically target squamous cancer cells, epidermal growth factors (EGF) attached to SWCNTs were combined with quantum dot luminescence (SWCNT-Qdot-EGF bio-conjugates); these conjugates were internalized rapidly into the cancer cells of head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC) overexpressing EGFR. This evidence concerns the gene EGF and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.