In conclusion, our data suggest that elevated expression of NOXA can induce apoptosis independently of p53 in both cisplatin-sensitive A2780s (p53WT) and cisplatin-resistant SKOV3 (p53 -/-) ovarian cancer cells, and that it can enhance the therapeutic responses of ovarian cancer, especially the intrinsically resistant, p53 double deletion mutant ovarian cancer cells, to cisplatin by inducing alterations in the Bax/Smac axis. The gene discussed is PMAIP1; the disease is ovarian cancer.