In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), miR-485-5p markedly suppresses the self-renewal, proliferation, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer stem cells (CSCs) by targeting keratin 17 (KRT17) and its associated signaling pathways, consequently diminishing CSC invasiveness and resistance to chemotherapy. The gene discussed is KRT17; the disease is oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.