Interestingly, ∆Np63α forms a complex with YAP-1, which promotes stem cell survival.112 Moreover, YAP-1 can trigger SOX2 transcription by physical interaction with OCT-4.113 In addition, TAZ binds to the promoter of SOX2, which then drives stemness in oral cancer.113 YAP-1 upregulates CTGF (which induces proliferation) and c-MYC (which enhances clonogenicity), downregulates caspase-7 and BAX and upregulates Bcl-2 (which enhances apoptosis resistance) (Fig. 5b).114 These mechanisms might be relevant to the malignant transformation of OSF. Here, SOX2 is linked to lip and oral cavity carcinoma.