In the squamous cell carcinoma subtype of non-small cell lung cancers (SQCC NSCLC), most tumors carry mutations in TP53, RB1, and CDKN2A and in the oxidative pathway genes and NFE2L2. EGFR and ALK mutations, common in adenocarcinomas, are less frequent in SQCC of the lung and hence, agents developed for lung adenocarcinoma are less effective against lung SQCC. The gene discussed is NFE2L2; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.