In contrast, cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) has been demonstrated to act as a tumor suppressor gene in HNSCC, triggering pyroptotic cell death by activating NLRP3 and caspase-1 [51]; thus, by inhibiting CD38 expression, HNSCC cells might be able to escape NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis [51]. This evidence concerns the gene ENSG00000280371 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.