Genetic predisposition to milder forms of COVID-19 may provide some resilience to head and neck cancers. (PubMed, Front Oncol)
These genes include OAS1, LOC107985887, BCL11A, DPP9, LOC107984685, LINC02326, MUC4, NXPE3, IFNAR2, LZTFL1, LOC105372437, NAPSA, LOC105376622, LOC107986082, and SLC6A20. Our study emphasizes the protective role of the genetic liability to milder COVID-19 in reducing the risk of HNC while refuting a causal relationship between severe COVID-19 and HNC.