These results have salient clinical implications, because, cells with wild-type or higher TP53 expression are more susceptible to radiation therapy, and HPV+ tumours usually display higher radiosensitivity.38 Therefore, our data suggest that mutations in TP53 gene have a prognostic role in HNSCC, above all, in HPV+ OP tumours where mutational status of this gene should be investigated before considering treatment options.39 These findings could let us speculate that mutations affecting TP53 in HPV+ tumours make them more similar to HPV− HNSCCs. Here, TP53 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.