TACSTD2 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Moreover, our study unraveled a novel mechanism by which down- regulation of miR-488-3p sponging by circ-0000495 releases its epigenetic silencing to TROP2, provide evidence in support of targeting the circ-0000495/ miR-488-3p/TROP2 axis in contributing to HNSCC therapy and preventing metastasis.