Overexpression of miR-182 was closely related with overproduction of p53 in HNSCC tumor tissues. miR-182 may act as a possible biomarker for the prediction of HNSCC tumor recurrence. β-TrCP2 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-182 in HNSCC. β-TrCP2 overexpression reversed miR-182 induced cell proliferation and migration.