Among these, 12 hub genes (CCNB1, CDK1, CCNA2, CDK2, CDK4, TYMS, AURKA, CCNA1, CHEK1, CCNB2, PLK1, CDC25A) were significantly overexpressed in HNSCC tissues and were primarily enriched in cell cycle regulation, p53 signaling, and viral carcinogenesis pathways. The gene discussed is PLK1; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.