PFN2 knockdown suppressed tumor cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. (A, G) Stable knockdown of PFN2 in Fadu and Cal-27 cells was verified by Western blot. (B, H) Cell viability under PFN2 knockdown was examined by CCK-8 assay in Fadu and Cal-27 cells. (C, I) Colony formation of HNSC cells was significantly inhibited by PFN2 knockdown in Fadu and Cal-27 cells. (D, J) The number of colonies in PFN2 knockdown group and control group in Fadu and Cal-27 cells. (E, K) The proportion of apoptotic cells increased after PFN2 knockdown, as assayed by annexin V/7-AAD staining. (F, L) The percentage of apoptotic cells in PFN2 knockdown group and control group in Fadu and Cal-27 cells. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM from five independent experiments, n = 5. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.