To further elucidate the involvement of Oct4 in the DNA damage response in HNSCC, we analyzed the Oct4-correlating gene signature in the TCGA HNSCC dataset and identified two HRR genes, PSMC3IP and RAD54L that are significantly associated with improved overall survival of HNSCC patients treated with radiotherapy. Here, POU5F1 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.