OVCAR-3 Cells

OVCAR-3 cells are a human ovarian cancer cell line established from the malignant ascites of a 60-year-old Caucasian female patient with progressive adenocarcinoma of the ovary, refractory to treatment with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and cisplatin. Ovcar 3 cells are used in a wide range of studies including drug resistance, particularly those involving DNA damage response biomarkers, homologous recombination repair, and the overall cell cycle dynamics, cancer cell biology, and gene expression studies. OVCAR-3 cells are epithelial in morphology and have been characterized by their high in vitro growth potential and their ability to form tumors in immunodeficient mice. These cells express several markers characteristic of ovarian carcinoma and have been utilized extensively to study the biology of ovarian cancer. OVCAR-3 cells are known to have a complex karyotype, with numerous chromosomal abnormalities that are typical of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas. They are estrogen receptor-positive, which is relatively rare among ovarian cancer cell lines, and this feature is exploited in studies focusing on hormonal influences on ovarian cancer progression and treatment. In summary, the OVCAR3 cell line stands as a cornerstone in ovarian cancer research, offering a robust model for studying the complex interplay between hormonal influences, drug resistance, and the genetic underpinnings of high-grade ovarian serous adenocarcinoma.