In conclusion, our data indicate that FN1 is degraded by the p62-dependent autophagy–lysosome pathway, independent of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, and indicate that FN1 is a potential prognostic biomarker for HNSCC because it has a strong association with EMT and tumour invasion and metastasis (Supplement Fig. 4). This evidence concerns the gene SQSTM1 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.