CXCL9 and lip and oral cavity carcinoma: Regarding CXCL9, a chemokine that typically attracts T cells and NK cells to the tumor site to promote a protective immune response.[39] Our study also find an inverse association between CXCL9 levels and oral cancer risk, OR of 0.760 (95% CI 0.600–0.962, P = .023), suggesting a protective effect of CXCL9 against OSCC.