Given CASP8-mutant HNSCC cell lines are more radioresistant than their WT counterparts and CASP8-mutant HNSCCs show alterations in the necroptosis pathway, we sought to understand whether necroptosis could be exploited therapeutically to treat HNSCCs with compromised CASP8 status. The gene discussed is CASP8; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.