The expression of two ALRs (IFI16 and AIM2) and three (NLRP3, NLRC4 and NOD1) of eight NLR genes was significantly upregulated in 290 HNSCC when compared with that in 74 normal controls (P < 0.05, Table 1). This evidence concerns the gene IFI16 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.