Which path will be chosen (cell survival or cell death) is uncertain and depends on multiple factors, such as cell type, genetic background and prevailing microenvironment; for example, radiation-induced autophagy was shown to be cytoprotective in the p53 wild-type HNSCC HN30 cell line, while it was nonprotective in the p53 mutant HN6 cell line [57]. The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.