NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 NQO1 * 2 genotype (P187S) is a strong prognostic and predictive factor in breast cancer

Jiri Bartek and colleagues find that a common variant reducing NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 activity is a potential predictor of response to epirubicin chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. Cell-based assays suggest three modes of action for the enzyme via the p53 and TNF–NF-κB pathways and by direct detoxification of reactive oxygen species.