Based on the public database of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), expression of EGFR in both HNSCC and LUSC significantly correlated with the expression of LDHA and SLC16A3 (P < 0.05; Fig. 5A), suggesting that regulation of EGFR and glucose metabolism simultaneously contribute to TME favoring progression of tumor. The gene discussed is LDHA; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.