In HNSCC, METTL1/WDR4 catalyzes m7G modifications on tRNAs (primarily at the “RRGGYYS” motif within the V-loop) to stabilize specific tRNAs, thereby enhancing the efficient translation of codons dependent on m7G-modified tRNAs (e.g., ValACC) by ribosomes. Here, METTL1 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.