In addition, the advantage of using THM in modulating treatment efficacy by FDA-approved immunotherapy monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoint molecules Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its receptor Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (e.g., nivolumab and pembrolizumab) in HNSCC patients with relapse or metastatic CDDP-resistant tumors should also be closely followed. The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.