27 IRGs were included in the IRGS, including UL16-binding protein 1 (ULBP1), chemokine receptors 6 (CCR6), C-C motif chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22), roundabout guidance receptor 1 (ROBO1), dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (DKK1) and platelet derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA), all of which have previously been shown to be correlated to the pathogenesis and progression of HNSCC (Table 1). Here, ROBO1 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.