COR-L23 Cells

COR-L23 is a human lung carcinoma cell line derived from an adult patient with large cell lung carcinoma (LCLC). The cell line was established from a clinical tumor sample and represents a non–small cell lung cancer model with epithelial characteristics. In culture, COR-L23 grows as an adherent monolayer and is maintained in standard RPMI-based medium supplemented with fetal serum. The cell line was developed as part of a panel of lung cancer models derived directly from patient specimens to facilitate investigation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying lung tumorigenesis.

Phenotypic characterization has shown that COR-L23 differs from classical small cell lung carcinoma cell lines in both morphology and biomarker expression. Unlike typical small cell lung cancer models that grow as floating aggregates and express strong neuroendocrine markers, COR-L23 displays features consistent with large cell carcinoma, including reduced expression of neuroendocrine-associated enzymes and markers commonly observed in small cell lung cancer. These differences highlight its relevance as a model for studying non–small cell lung cancer biology and for comparing molecular features between distinct lung cancer subtypes.

Genetic and cytogenetic analyses of lung cancer cell line panels that include COR-derived models have revealed chromosomal abnormalities and oncogenic alterations commonly associated with lung malignancies. Such alterations may involve dysregulation of oncogene families and structural chromosomal changes that contribute to tumor progression. Due to these molecular features and its well-characterized phenotype, COR-L23 is widely used for studies of lung cancer signaling pathways, drug response, and mechanisms of tumor cell proliferation and survival.