NCI-H526 Cells

The NCI-H526 cell line is derived from a small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) of a human adult. This cell line is widely used in cancer research, particularly in the study of small cell lung cancer, which is known for its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. NCI-H526 cells provide a crucial model for investigating the biology of SCLC, understanding its rapid growth and metastasis, and developing new therapeutic strategies. NCI-H526 cells exhibit a round, suspension-growing morphology characteristic of small cell lung cancer. They express neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin A and synaptophysin, which are typical of SCLC. Researchers use NCI-H526 cells to study the genetic and epigenetic changes associated with SCLC, including alterations in the TP53 and RB1 genes, which are frequently mutated in this type of cancer. These cells are also employed to explore signaling pathways that drive SCLC progression, such as the Notch, PI3K/Akt, and Hedgehog pathways. In drug discovery and development, NCI-H526 cells are utilized to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents, targeted therapies, and novel treatment combinations. The relevance of the NCI-H526 cell line in small cell lung cancer research underscores its importance in advancing our understanding of this challenging disease and in the development of more effective treatments.