Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase/paxillin axis by caffeic acid phenethyl ester restrains aggressive behaviors of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro

•CAPE inhibits tumorigenic potential and aggressive behaviors of HNSCC cells in vitro.•CAPE allows the alteration of EMT status by increasing E-cadherin expression.•CAPE suppresses the phosphorylation of the FAK/Paxillin axis.•FAK inhibitor decreases aggressive behaviors of HNSCC cells by promoting E-cadherin.