In addition, CDKN1B and ING5 downregulation in HNC (Additional file 1: Figure S14c–e) was closely related to increased tumor size, lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and chemoresistance, which eventually contributed to the poor prognosis in HNC patients (Additional file 1: Figures S23, S24). Here, CDKN1B is linked to neoplasm.