Through different rescue experiments by enhancing miR‐382‐3p, or enhancing or depleting circ_0000052 in vitro or in vivo, we show that circ_0000052 can competitively bind with miR‐382‐3p and reduce the expression of miR‐382‐3p, thereby releasing the inhibitory effect of miR‐382‐3p on PD‐L1, leading to the upregulation of PD‐L1 in HNSCC cells. This evidence concerns the gene CD274 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.