After HNSCC cells and adipocytes were co-cultured, the last three experiments above-mentioned were repeated and Calcein AM/EthD-1 double stain assay was performed to examine anoikis.<h4>Results</h4>Overexpressed ITGA5 enhanced colony formation and inhibited anoikis in HNSCC cells (p < 0 p < .001), while reducing the expression of the apoptosis-related protein and increasing those of adherence-related proteins (p < 0.05). The gene discussed is ITGA5; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.