Immune evasion in HNSCC is orchestrated through multiple mechanisms, including the suppression of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, recruitment of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4). Here, CD274 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.