WWTR1 and neoplasm: In epithelial-derived tumors such as head and neck cancer, downregulation of CRUMBS family members (e.g., CRB3) is closely associated with loss of cell polarity, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and aberrant activation of YAP/TAZ, potentially driving tumor invasion and metastasis (Faraji et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2010).