HCT-8 (HRT-18) Cells

HCT-8 cells, also known as human ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, are an epithelial cell line originally derived from a 67-year-old Caucasian male patient with ileocecal adenocarcinoma. The HCT-8 cell line was established in the late 1960s and is widely utilized in cancer research, particularly in the study of colorectal cancer pathogenesis, metastasis, and treatment response. Morphologically, HCT-8 cells are epithelial-like and exhibit a monolayer growth pattern with a polygonal shape. They possess the capability to grow in both adherent and semi-suspended cultures, which is characteristic of some transitional stages of cancer cell metastasis. This feature makes them particularly useful for studies related to cancer cell invasion and migration. Genotypically, HCT-8 cells are hypertriploid, containing several chromosomal aberrations common in colorectal carcinomas, including mutations and deletions which are relevant to cancer progression and resistance mechanisms. This genetic profile supports their use in oncological studies, especially those focusing on genetic pathways involved in tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Research utilizing HCT-8 cells has contributed significantly to the understanding of colorectal cancer biology, including the elucidation of molecular pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and chemoresistance. The cell line continues to be a critical model for investigating the efficacy of new therapeutic agents and for exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer.