Delineating metabolic signatures of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Phospholipase A2, a potential therapeutic target

► Delineation of multiple deregulated metabolic events in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). ► Glutaminolysis, a major carbon source in HNSCC. ► HNSCC highlighted with altered levels of choline containing metabolites and phospholipase A2, particulary cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) revealing altered membrane choline phospholipid metabolism. ► Adaptive mechanism of HNSCC to osmotic and oxidative stress. ► cPLA2, a potential therapeutic target.