In this context, IL8-induced activation of STAT3 signaling pathway as a key promoter to elevated MMP1 level in fibroblasts, supports the migration and invasion of HNSCC cells by ECM degradation (Fig. 7C), which suggests that targeting IL8-STAT3-MMP1 axis could be considered to resist the metastasis of HNSCC. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.