A risk model of HNSCC based on eight prognostic genes was generated (risk score = (0.199 × HOXB9 exp.)+ (-0.238 × SELENBP1 exp.)+ (0.359 × DTNA exp.)+ (-0.134 × ISG20 exp.)+ (0.193 × STC2 exp.)+ (0.418 × HS3ST1 exp.)+ (-0.159 × CSRP2 exp.)+ (0.094 × TGFBI exp.)). Here, CSRP2 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.