Moreover, ATG5 is significantly positively correlated with G2M checkpoint pathway (ρSpearman = 0.41, p < 0.01), and G2M checkpoint inhibitor drugs have lower IC50 in HNSCC patients with high expression of ATG5 (p < 0.01), indicating the potential value of G2M inhibitors in HNSCC/NPC treatment. Here, ATG5 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.