TWIST1 and neoplasm: Moreover, MCP-counter analysis using the gene set of HNSCC from TCGA also indicated that NOVA1 expression is related to upregulation or downregulation of EMT signature genes, including SNAI1, TWIST, SNAI2, and TGFB1. Although further studies of direct signal pathways are needed, these findings suggest that changes in NOVA1 expression in tumor cells or the tissue microenvironment may affect EMT and that NOVA1 may act as a signaling factor between tumor cells and interacting stromal cells.