OCUM-1 Cells
General information
| Description | OCUM-1 is a human gastric cancer cell line derived from a patient with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. This cell line is widely utilized in cancer research to study the aggressive nature of gastric cancers, particularly those with low differentiation status. OCUM-1 serves as a reliable in vitro model for investigating tumor biology, mechanisms of metastasis, and therapeutic responses in gastric adenocarcinoma, which remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. OCUM-1 cells exhibit epithelial morphology and adhere under standard culture conditions. They are characterized by features typical of poorly differentiated gastric cancer, including high proliferative capacity, the ability to invade surrounding tissues, and molecular alterations that drive tumor progression. Researchers frequently use OCUM-1 to study signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and EMT-related mechanisms, which are often dysregulated in gastric adenocarcinoma and contribute to its metastatic behavior. Additionally, this cell line provides a platform for evaluating genetic and epigenetic changes associated with poorly differentiated tumors. In preclinical research, OCUM-1 is particularly valuable for drug screening and the development of targeted therapies aimed at treating aggressive gastric cancer subtypes. The cell line is often used to assess the efficacy of chemotherapy agents, small-molecule inhibitors, and combination therapies, as well as to explore mechanisms of chemoresistance. Furthermore, OCUM-1 is utilized in studies focused on tumor microenvironment interactions and the molecular drivers of peritoneal dissemination, a frequent and challenging complication in advanced gastric cancer. Overall, OCUM-1 remains a crucial resource for advancing gastric cancer research and the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. |
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| Organism | Human |
| Tissue | Stomach |
| Disease | adenocarcinoma |
| Metastatic site | Pleural effusion |
| Synonyms | OCUM1, Osaka City University Medical school-1 |
Characteristics
| Age | 38 years |
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| Gender | Female |
| Ethnicity | Japanese |
| Morphology | Lymphocyte-like with clustering |
| Cell type | Lymphocyte |
| Growth properties | Adhärent/Suspension |
Regulatory Data
| Citation | OCUM-1 (Cytion catalog number 305612) |
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| Biosafety level | 1 |
| NCBI_TaxID | 9606 |
| CellosaurusAccession | CVCL_3084 |
Biomolecular Data
| Mutational profile | Mutation: MAP2K1, Simple, p.Gln56Pro (c.167A>C), Hemizygous |
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Handling
| Culture Medium | DMEM low glucose, 0.5 mM sodium pyruvat |
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| Supplements | Supplement the medium with 10% FBS |
| Dissociation Reagent | Cells detach by tapping the flask, no PBS/Accutase needed |
| Doubling time | 26-34 hours |
| Seeding density | 2-4*10^4/cm² |
| Freeze medium | As a cryopreservation medium, we use complete growth medium (including FBS) + 10% DMSO for adequate post-thaw viability, or CM-1 (Cytion catalog number 800100), which includes optimized osmoprotectants and metabolic stabilizers to enhance recovery and reduce cryo-induced stress. |
| Thawing and Culturing Cells |
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| Incubation Atmosphere | 37°C, 5% CO2, humidified atmosphere. |
| Shipping Conditions | Cryopreserved cell lines are shipped on dry ice in validated, insulated packaging with sufficient refrigerant to maintain approximately −78 °C throughout transit. On receipt, inspect the container immediately and transfer vials without delay to appropriate storage. |
| Storage Conditions | For long-term preservation, place vials in vapor-phase liquid nitrogen at about −150 to −196 °C. Storage at −80 °C is acceptable only as a short interim step before transfer to liquid nitrogen. |
Quality Control & Molecular Analysis
| Sterility | Mycoplasma contamination is excluded using both PCR-based assays and luminescence-based mycoplasma detection methods. To ensure there is no bacterial, fungal, or yeast contamination, cell cultures are subjected to daily visual inspections. |
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