Disclosed are methods of treating a head and/or neck squamous cell carcinoma in an individual. The method may include the step of administering to an individual a composition comprising an interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) inhibitor, which may include inhibitors that inhibit IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 in addition to other IL-1 receptor-associated kinases, such as, for example, an IRAK1/4 inhibitor.