Moreover, Sox2 overexpression was found to restore transcriptional and translational levels of ALDH1A1, ALDH3A1, and CD44, which were suppressed after knocking down of ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14), a well-established carcinogenic gene in HNSCC. This evidence concerns the gene ALDH1A1 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.