NCI-H1755 Cells

NCI-H1755 is a human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line derived from a lung adenocarcinoma. It is part of the extensive National Cancer Institute (NCI) panel of thoracic cancer models, developed to support translational research into lung cancer biology and therapeutic response. This cell line exhibits a KRAS mutation, a feature common in many lung adenocarcinomas that contributes to constitutive activation of MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways, promoting uncontrolled cell growth and resistance to certain targeted therapies.

NCI-H1755 is included in several large-scale functional genomic and pharmacogenomic screens, including those profiling protein expression and response to targeted agents. Its molecular signature indicates activity in PI3K/AKT and RAS/RAF/MEK signaling pathways, which has made it a valuable tool for evaluating the effects of MEK inhibitors and other agents targeting downstream effector molecules. The cell line has also contributed to research focused on epithelial polarity, with studies identifying structural disruptions in polarity complex genes, such as PARD3, across various epithelial cancers including lung adenocarcinoma.

In vitro, NCI-H1755 cells grow in adherent monolayers and demonstrate epithelial morphology. They are maintained under standard culture conditions in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Due to its reproducible growth characteristics, mutational profile, and inclusion in molecular oncology datasets, NCI-H1755 is a frequently used model for investigating mechanisms of tumor progression, drug resistance, and potential therapeutic targets in KRAS-mutant NSCLC.