After FLOT1 knockdown, there was a significant increase in HNSCC cell death 48 h following exposure to 4 Gy of irradiation, and the expression levels of MCL1 and BCL2 were decreased compared to siGFP-treated cells (P < 0.05; Fig. 6A, B). Here, FLOT1 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.