In addition, knockdown of SOX11 or SDCCAG8 expression in HNSCC cell lines significantly impairs the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and chemoresistance whereas overexpression of SOX11 or SDCCAG8 significantly enhances the proliferation, migration, invasion and chemoresistance of HNSCC cell lines. Here, SOX11 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.