NCI-H23 Cells

This line was established from lung cancer tissue obtained from a 59-year-old black male lung adenocarcinoma patient prior to therapy. The cells carry the mutation of K-ras 12 and a mutation in the codon 246 (ATC →ATG, isoleucine -> methionine) of the p53 gene. The cells express C-myc, L-myc, v-src, v-abl, v-erb B, c-raf 1, Ha-ras, Ki-ras and N-ras RNAs. The cell line has a heterogeneous mRNA expression for PDGF A and B chain, transforming growth factor alpha and beta and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). NCI-H23 exhibits a 20-fold higher level of c-myc DNA amplification without detectable c-myc RNA amplification. The cells stain positive for keratins 5+8 and 18 and vimentin but negative for neurofilament. The cells are L-dopa decarboxylase-negative. The cells can form colonies in soft agarose with an efficiency of 9.7%.