Furthermore, analyses of the DEMRGs in METArisk phenotypes suggested PYGL, the key biomarker in glycogen degradation, was strongly potential to guide the development and drug resistance of HNSCC by the PYGL/GSH/ROS/p53 pathway, thereby setting the foundation for new clinical therapies of HNSCC in the future (Fig. 8). Here, PYGL is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.