Knockdown of NQO1 or administration of NQO1 inhibitor resulted in an increase of ROS and/or 8-OHdG levels in THC-treated ESCC cells, while overexpression of NQO1 resulted in a decrease of 8-OHdG in THC-treated ESCC cells. Here, NQO1 is linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.