NLRP3 and cancer: In HNSCC, particularly in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), NLRP3 contributes to cancer cell proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and enhanced metastatic potential by activating the NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways (Shi, et al., 2025; Zhao, et al., 2025).