TGFB1 and neoplasm: This is of particular interest, since RUNX3 is a paradoxical oncogene in HNSC (while generally being a tumor suppressor) and is connected to the transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) pathway and fibrosis [33,34], thus suggesting that the activation of this regulatory interaction plays a significant role in the microenvironmental characteristics of this neoplasia.