To address these hypotheses, we utilised 2D and 3D co-culture models, along with RR tumour cell lines, to examine how CAF-secreted IL-6 mediates interactions between fibroblasts and tumour cells, as well as the distinct signalling pathways responsible for the differing responses of HNSCC cells based on their HPV status. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.