Results from our systematic review and meta-analysis show that the expression of cleaved Caspase 3 is higher than that of Caspase 3 in HNC, while the opposite occurs in OPMD, prompting questions concerning the possibility of a failure in the cleavage of Caspase 3 in OPMD that could favor the malignancy process. Here, CASP3 is linked to oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.