Caricotamide is a synthetic co-substrate that activates the human endogenous enzyme NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) with potential chemoadjuvant activity. When caricotamide is administered simultaneously with the prodrug tretazicar, NQO2 converts tretazicar to the bifunctional alkylating agent dinitrobenzamide, which is capable of forming a high degree of DNA interstrand cross-links, resulting in the inhibition of DNA replication and the induction of apoptosis. NQO2 has been found to be over-expressed in cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal and ovarian cancers.