While it has been demonstrated that TP53 is commonly mutated in HPV-negative HNSCC but not in HPV-driven HNSCC (35), the HPV E6 oncoprotein induces proteasomal degradation of p53 leading to low amounts of the functional form of this tumor suppressor in HPV-driven tumors (36). This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.