NCI-H157 Cells

NCI-H157 is a human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell line, primarily used in cancer research to study tumorigenesis, chemotherapy resistance, and the molecular pathways involved in lung cancer progression. NCI-H157 cells are particularly useful for investigating the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in NSCLC. Studies have shown that HIF-1α plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis, proliferation, and survival of cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. Downregulation of HIF-1α via siRNA in NCI-H157 cells significantly reduces cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and impairs the invasive ability of the tumor cells.
Moreover, combination treatments using HIF-1α siRNA and chemotherapy agents, such as cisplatin (DDP), enhance the cytotoxic effects on NCI-H157 cells. The reduction of HIF-1α expression has been shown to increase the activity of apoptotic proteins like caspases 3 and 9 while decreasing the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2. Additionally, HIF-1α knockdown inhibits key signaling pathways involved in tumor growth, including the PI3K/AKT and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways. These molecular alterations contribute to the suppression of tumor cell survival and invasiveness.
The NCI-H157 cell line is also responsive to various natural compounds and plant extracts. For example, extracts from *Stellera chamaejasme* L. have been found to induce apoptosis in NCI-H157 cells through the Fas death receptor pathway, further emphasizing the cell line’s utility in evaluating novel therapeutic agents for lung cancer.