Indeed, JAM-A dysregulation has been observed in multiple tumour types; however, while in breast, lung and head and neck cancers [2–6], JAM-A overexpression enhances proliferation and promotes resistance to targeted therapies [27], in gastrointestinal cancers including gastric and pancreatic neoplasms [8, 9], as well as in thyroid tumours [45], it is JAM-A downregulation that is associated with cancer acceleration and worse prognosis. Here, F11R is linked to head and neck cancer.