We all know that p53 is often mutated in cancer. But what about the other p53 family members? New results suggest that p73 is often overexpressed in cancer and that this promotes resistance to oxidative stress via up-regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) enzyme G6PD. More PPP flux, more NADPH, more reduced glutathione, better cancer cell viability. What are the drawbacks here, I wonder? Why wouldn't a 'normal' cell also want better antioxidant defences?