Utilizing the MmuPV1 infection-based HNSCC model, we infected the tongues of Iqgap1+/+ (wild-type FVB strain) and Iqgap1−/− mice with MmuPV1 (or PBS, mock infection), treated the mice with UVB, which induces systemic immunosuppression that facilitates persistence of infections, and the 4NQO carcinogen to induce HNSCC, and monitored the experimental mice for 6 months. This evidence concerns the gene IQGAP1 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.