BEL-7402 Cells

BEL-7402 is a human cell line historically described as a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model derived from a liver tumor of an adult donor and widely used in studies of liver cancer biology, proliferation, apoptosis, and therapeutic response. The cells display adherent epithelial morphology and have been applied extensively in in vitro assays and xenograft models as a representative HCC system. BEL-7402 has also been incorporated into genomic and transcriptomic analyses alongside other liver cancer cell lines.

However, substantial evidence has demonstrated that BEL-7402 is misidentified and contaminated with HeLa cells, a cervical carcinoma cell line. Independent short tandem repeat (STR) profiling analyses conducted in multiple laboratories have shown that BEL-7402 shares a genetic profile consistent with HeLa rather than hepatocellular origin. Formal editorial notices have cautioned against the continued use of BEL-7402 as an HCC model unless definitive authentication data are provided, including STR validation and liver-specific molecular characterization. These findings indicate that experimental results obtained using BEL-7402 may not reflect hepatocellular carcinoma biology.

In light of these authentication concerns, BEL-7402 should not be regarded as a reliable hepatocellular carcinoma model. For investigations into HCC-specific molecular mechanisms, genomic alterations, or therapeutic responses, the use of well-authenticated liver cancer cell lines with confirmed STR profiles and validated hepatic gene expression signatures is strongly recommended. If BEL-7402 is used for comparative or historical purposes, rigorous cell line authentication and contamination testing are essential prior to experimental application.