Because an increased expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 proteins is observed in tumor tissues from Tgfbr1/Pten 2cKO HNSCC mice, there is a rationale for testing the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, MCC950 in this model. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.