Knockdown of β-catenin controls both apoptotic and autophagic cell death through LKB1/AMPK signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

► Silencing of β-catenin induces cell death in head and neck squamous cancer cell. ► Both apoptosis and autophagy were observed during this process. ► Knockdown of β-catenin activates the LKB1/AMPK pathway and reduces cell viability. ► Potential crosstalk between β-catenin and LKB1/AMPK is presumed to occur.