HCC1937 Cells

HCC1937 is a human breast carcinoma cell line derived from a primary tumor of an adult female. This cell line exhibits several genetic alterations characteristic of aggressive breast cancer phenotypes, including a homozygous mutation in the BRCA1 gene (5382C mutation), which is a notable marker for predisposition to breast cancer. The presence of this mutation aligns with a familial pattern of breast cancer as it is also detected in other family members, indicating a hereditary aspect to the malignancy. Additionally, HCC1937 has an acquired mutation in the TP53 gene coupled with the loss of the wild-type allele, further compounding its tumor suppressor deficiencies.

The cell line also displays a homozygous deletion of the PTEN gene and exhibits loss of heterozygosity at multiple loci involved in cancer pathogenesis, suggesting a complex genetic background conducive to oncogenic transformation. From a phenotypic perspective, HCC1937 does not express the estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR), categorizing it as ER-negative and PR-negative, which are typical markers for more aggressive disease courses. Moreover, the cells do not express Her2-neu and p53, but are positive for epithelial glycoprotein 2 (EGP2) and cytokeratin 19, which are indicative of their epithelial origin and malignant nature. The specific marker profile and genetic makeup make HCC1937 a valuable model for studying the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer and testing targeted therapies for similar aggressive breast cancer profiles.