Recent studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) in treating a subgroup of patients with HNSCC.2 3 However, the response rate remains low, with less than 20% of patients achieving durable response in the anti-programed cell death 1 (PD-1) ICB. The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.