NCI-H1650 Cells

The NCI-H1650 cell line is derived from a human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), specifically adenocarcinoma, and is widely used in cancer research due to its distinctive genetic profile and relevance in drug testing. This cell line features mutations in key oncogenic and tumor suppressor pathways, including a deletion in the PTEN gene and an activating mutation in EGFR. These genetic alterations make NCI-H1650 a suitable model for studying mechanisms of tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance in NSCLC, especially in the context of targeted therapies aimed at the EGFR signaling pathway.

The deletion of PTEN in NCI-H1650 results in the loss of phosphatase activity, which deregulates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, contributing to tumor progression and resistance to certain therapeutic agents. The activating EGFR mutation, commonly observed in lung adenocarcinoma, renders the cell line particularly sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors like erlotinib. However, the co-occurrence of these genetic changes often necessitates combination therapies to overcome adaptive resistance mechanisms that involve compensatory signaling pathways, such as mTOR or MET.

In addition to its genetic and signaling characteristics, NCI-H1650 has been included in numerous studies examining somatic mutations, copy number variations, and epigenetic alterations in cancer cell lines. Its response to inhibitors of EGFR and PI3K pathways highlights its utility in preclinical drug discovery and personalized medicine strategies. This cell line serves as a representative model for investigating the interplay between oncogenic drivers and therapeutic vulnerabilities in lung adenocarcinoma.