The univariate Cox analysis identified 14 key UPR-associated genes that affected HNSCC prognosis (ADGRG1, ALDOA, ERP44, GAK, GARS1, GHITM, MYH11, PFKM, PKD1, RDH11, TJP3, TPM3, TPT1, and VDAC1). Here, VDAC1 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.