HSC-3

HSC-3 is an established human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line derived from a metastatic lymph node of tongue squamous cell carcinoma patient. As mentioned above, because HSC-3 cells were derived from a metastatic tumor site they represent an aggressive OSCC phenotype and have been commonly used in vitro to study mechanisms of invasion, metastasis and tumor progression associated with head and neck cancers.

HSC-3 cells readily propagate as adherent epithelial like monolayers and have polygonal morphology with high proliferation rates. They have increased migratory and invasive capabilities compared to less aggressive OSCC lines in vitro. HSC-3 cells are positive for epithelial markers including cytokeratins. However, they also exhibit changes in cell-cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization that are associated with malignant transformation.

On a molecular level HSC-3 cells exhibit dysregulation of signaling pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix degradation, and cell survival (increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases and pro-invasive signaling cascades). Because of these properties HSC-3 cells have been used widely for mechanistic studies examining tumor invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance.