Background and Objectives: Individual genetic susceptibilities to chemical carcinogens have been recognized as a major important host factors in human cancers. The cytochrome P450 family (CYPs) and glutathione S-transferase(GST) have been reported to be associated with risks to the smoking-related human cancers. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes like p53 playa key role in tumor progression. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an association between p53 overexpression and the prevalence of the genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTs in Korean head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and Methods: The polymorphisms of CYPIA1 and GSTs were analyzed by PCR and PCR-RFLP in 98 Korean head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. The expression of p53 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with anti-p53 Ab (DO7). Results: Overexpression of p53 detected in 45.9% of HNSCC. The odds ratio for p53 overexpression in GSTM1(-), GSTT1(-), GSTP1(val/val) and CYP1A1(val/val) were 1.53, 1.83, 1.17 and 1.47, respectively. Among the combined genotypes, the odds ratio of the CYP1A1 val/val, GSTM1 (-), CYP1A1 val/val, GSTT1(-), and CYP1A1 val/val, GSTT1(-) were 2.0, 2.34 and 4.68, respectively. Conclusion: Based on our results, it might be suggested that p53 overexpression is slightly increased in GSTM1(-), GSTT1(-), GSTP1 val/val, CYP1A1 val/val genotypes. The further study is needed to evaluate the relationship and mechanism between the p53 overexpression and the specific CYP1A1 and GSTs genotypes.