SOD2 is a C-myc target gene that promotes the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma involving cancer stem-like cells.

•Cancer stem-like cells play an important role in TSCC migration and invasion.•SOD2 mediated TSCC migration and invasion involve cancer stem-like cells.•C-myc directly targets and regulates the expression of SOD2.•C-myc-SOD2 pathway mediates TSCC migration and invasion involving CSCs.