SLC16A3 and neoplasm: MCT2 (SLC16A7, p = 0.565) and MCT4 (SLC16A3, p = 0.438) showed no differential expression between HPV−ve and HPV+ve HNSCC; MCT1 expression (SCL16A1) however, was significantly elevated in HPV−ve tumours (p = 0.012), suggesting a potential tumour subtype-specific, metabolic target (Fig. 5a).