For example, in multiple human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines, C18-ceramide-mediated mitophagy triggers caspase-independent autophagic cell death, which leads to tumor-suppressive effects in vivo.178 Furthermore, ceramide-mediated mitophagy is upregulated upon PINK1 deficiency, suggesting a compensatory mechanism for maintenance of mitochondrial quality control.181. This evidence concerns the gene PINK1 and neoplasm.