Associated risk of XRCC1 and XPD cross talk and life style factors in progression of head and neck cancer in north Indian population

► Polymorphism of XPD Arg751Gln may enhance the risk of SCCHN by ∼2 folds. ► Variants of XRCC1 Arg280His, though dormant individually, might contribute in the development of head and neck cancer. ► Gene-gene interaction of XRCC1 Arg280His and XPD Lys751Gln variants, increased the risk ∼2.3 times in group one and ∼6 times in group two.