We have previously reported that high MK2 phosphorylation was a poor prognostic factor associated with worse patient survival, radiotherapy could increase EMT gene expression and tumor cell MK2 inhibition could abrogate this effect, and combinatorial therapy in our in vivo human HNSCC PDX models could enhance local tumor control rates and improve overall survival [30]. This evidence concerns the gene MAPKAPK2 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.