In summary, our data indicate that Wnt3a, as a canonical ligand for the Wnt signalling pathway, binds to its receptor on the membrane of SCCHN cells, activates the canonical Wnt signalling pathway, accelerates the nuclear translocation of β‐catenin and then enhances the expression of Beclin1. The gene discussed is BECN1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.