Increases or decreases in NQO1 protein levels in cancer cells could be dependent on the following different potential cooperative mechanisms: the corresponding genomic imbalances of the NQO1 locus, which is located on chromosomal band 16q22; the activation of the Nrf2 pathway; and/or the presence of NQO1 polymorphisms27, 28. The gene discussed is NQO1; the disease is cancer.