Even though the expression of ODC1 and SMOX genes at both mRNA and protein levels is upregulated in HNSCC tissues (Fig. 1), blocking ODC1 activity by DFMO or SMOX activity by MDL-72527 does not consistently inhibit cell proliferation in tested human and murine OSCC cell lines (Fig. 2). The gene discussed is ODC1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.