Associated TGM1, PPL, and KRT proteins are involved in epithelial cell structure, adhesion, and differentiation.<h4>Objective patients and methods</h4>This study aimed to evaluate TGM1, PPL, and KRT8 levels in tumors and matched surgical margin samples from 52 HNSCC patients and assess correlations with clinical and demographic variables using ELISA.<h4>Results</h4>No significant differences in TGM1, PPL, and KRT8 levels were found between tumor and margin samples. The gene discussed is PPL; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.