To determine the significance of CAF-regulated genes in HNSCC, we analyzed the mRNA expression of most dysregulated genes including MMP1, MMP9, POSTN, GREM1, FMOD, COL1A2, GREM1, IVL, and α-SMA (a CAF marker) in two groups of HNSCC patients (responders or non-responders to radiotherapy) and in five biopsies from adjacent normal oral tissue. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.