To address this, we developed a novel prognostic score comprising four genes (HOXB9, SPNS3, FGD3 and SC5D) from these 2258 DEGs by sequential univariate regression analysis, robust likelihood-based modelling and multivariate regression analysis using TCGA–HNSCC dataset as training cohort. This evidence concerns the gene SPNS3 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.