The expression of a pyroptosis-associated gene index (NLRP1) and an apoptosis-related gene index (CDKN2A) has been found to predict better survival based on cell death index scores in two HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines and greater potential efficacy for HNSCC prognosis (Nan et al., 2023). The gene discussed is CDKN2A; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.