Using TCGA data, we statistically compared the expression of GSDMD in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, and found that, in a variety of tumours, including breast cancer, liver cancer, oesophageal cancer, and head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma, the expression of GSDMD in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues (Fig. 1A). This evidence concerns the gene GSDMD and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.