We have previously demonstrated that downregulation 14‐3‐3ζ or 14‐3‐3β led to stable cell cycle arrest of A172 and U87 glioblastoma cells, eventually leading to senescence and accumulation of p27.28, 29 It is thus probable that high expression of oncogenic 14‐3‐3 proteins in HNSCC allows the cancer cells to escape the senescence program, thereby promoting their oncogenic potential. This evidence concerns the gene YWHAQ and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.