Establishment and characterization of a novel human papillomavirus-positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma cell line (KUSCC-152) derived from a Korean patient.

Background: The mechanism of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has not been clearly elucidated, and the number of authenticated HPV (+) TSCC cell lines is extremely limited.

Objectives: To establish and characterize a de novo HPV (+) TSCC cell line derived from a Korean patient with TSCC.

Materials and methods: We performed in vitro and in vivo experiments for evaluation of tumorigenicity of our TSCC cell line. In addition, we evaluated the stemness traits of this cell. Finally, we examined the physical status of our cell whether this belonged to the episomal, integrated, or mixed type.

Results: The novel tonsillar cancer cell line, designated as KUSCC-152, was identified as a de novo TSCC cell line positive for HPV-16. In addition, the KUSCC-152 cell line has cancer cell traits in vitro and can induce tumor formation and metastasis to the neck lymph nodes in heterotopic and orthotopic xenograft mice. Moreover, the KUSCC-152 cells exhibited a cancer stemness phenotype, including sphere-forming capacity and the expression of stemness markers. Finally, we suggested that KUSCC 152 may belong to an integrated HPV incorporation type.

Conclusions and significance: We successfully established and characterized a novel integrated-type HPV (+) TSCC cell line from an East Asian patient.