RNA sequencing data obtained from the TCGA confirmed that ZNF154 expression was significantly downregulated in HNSCC tumors compared with matching non-tumour tissue from the same patient (tumour 13.80 ± 17.46 versus non-tumour 25.16 ± 20.75, p < 0.05) (Fig. 1A). Here, ZNF154 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.