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Characterization of a Diverse Set of Conditionally Reprogrammed Head and Neck Cancer Cell Cultures
Thomas J Ow1, Vikas Mehta1, Daniel Li1
1Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Conditional reprogramming (CR) successfully established diverse head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) cultures, including those from underrepresented minorities. These models preserve tumor characteristics for further research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Cell Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is a significant global health concern.
- Developing robust in vitro models is crucial for understanding HNSCC biology and treatment resistance.
- Conditional reprogramming (CR) offers a method for rapidly expanding primary tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a diverse library of HNSCC cell cultures using conditional reprogramming (CR).
- To assess the utility of these CR cultures for preclinical research.
- To investigate factors associated with successful culture establishment.
Main Methods:
- Patients with HNSCC were enrolled on an IRB-approved protocol for tumor cell culture generation via CR.
- Short tandem repeat genotyping validated CR cultures against reference tumors.
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) genotyping, in vitro assays (MTT, clonogenic survival, spheroid growth), and whole exome sequencing were performed.
Main Results:
- Thirty-one (70%) of 44 enrolled patients yielded successful CR cultures.
- CR cultures were successfully established from diverse HNSCC sites, with a high representation of Hispanic and Black patients.
- Hispanic ethnicity and first primary tumors were associated with successful CR culture establishment.
- CR cultures conserved HPV expression and tumor-specific mutations, including driver mutations and tumor mutation burden.
- CR cultures demonstrated utility in drug response assays (e.g., cisplatin) and can be used for radiation response studies and in vivo engraftment.
Conclusions:
- Conditional reprogramming is a highly effective method for propagating HNSCC cells.
- The established CR library includes a significant proportion of cells from underrepresented minority populations, enhancing cancer research diversity.
- These CR HNSCC models are valuable tools for preclinical studies, drug screening, and understanding cancer biology.
