The results showed that the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and BAK was obviously increased, while the levels of BCL-2 and MCL-1 were remarkably decreased (Figures 2C, D).To further investigate the exact mechanism of BZN-induced cell death, HNSCC cells were treated with BZN and various cell death inhibitors, including Z-VAD (apoptosis inhibitor), 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor), Fer-1 (ferroptosis inhibitor), and Nec-1 (necroptosis inhibitor) for 24, 48 and 72 h, followed by cell viability assessment using CCK-8 assays. The gene discussed is MCL1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.