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Cytochromes P450 (P450) are a multigene family of enzymes possessing a central role in the oxidative metabolism of a wide range of xenobiotics, including anticancer drugs, and endogenous compounds. The activity of different P450 isoforms varies within specific tissues and cell types and is selectively regulated together with their gene expression. Moreover, differential expression of certain P450 isoforms' genes in tumor cells compared to normal tissues can be observed. This creates the potential for the use of these isozymes as tumor markers or selective prodrug activators. This article discusses the characteristics and function of five isoforms of cytochrome P450 (P450 1B1, P450 2W1, P450 2S1, P450 2R1, P450 2U1) that could be potential targets for tumor therapeutic and preventive strategies. These isoforms have been chosen because their level of expression in tumor tissues is definitely higher than in normal tissues [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]