To identify the inflammatory mediator that is associated with Groα treatment in HNSCC, the expressions of TNF-α and COX-2 in SCC25 and OECM-1 cells that were treated with Groα (0, 1 and 10 nM) for 72 h were determined by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The gene discussed is PTGS2; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.