Notably, polymorphisms in NQO1, such as C609T (rs1800566) and 465 (C>T) in the human cDNA sequence, lead to reduced or absent enzyme activity, compromising cellular antioxidant capacity and potentially exacerbating the cytokine storm and lung injury (Atia et al., 2014) observed in severe COVID-19 cases. The gene discussed is NQO1; the disease is COVID-19.