CXCL12 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: With the specific recognition between SDF-1 and CXCR4 (a specific molecule of HNSCC), the anticancer outcome of SDF-1/ICG/DOX PLGA NPs was better than that of other groups, and the systemic toxicity was constrained to a minimum level, indicating a synergetic function of these components (Fig. 3).