The NCI-H209 cell line was established in 1979 by Gazdar A.F. and colleagues from a bone marrow metastatic lesion of a small cell lung cancer patient. The bone marrow specimen was obtained prior to the patient’s treatment. NCI-H209 is a typical small cell lung carcinoma cell line that expresses high levels of four biochemical markers: neuron-specific enolase, creatine kinase brain-type isoenzyme, L-dopa decarboxylase, and bombesin-like immunoreactivity. There is no amplification of the c-myc DNA sequence; no major structural abnormalities in DNA have been detected; and NCI-H209 cells synthesize p53 mRNA at levels comparable to those found in normal lung tissue. NCI-H209 cells grow in suspension as aggregates, with only the cells within the aggregates being viable, although cell viability cannot be accurately estimated. Typically, the culture medium contains a large amount of cellular debris.

Cell Name: Human small cell lung carcinoma cell line

Cell Synonyms:NCI-H209; H209; H-209; NCIH209

Catalogue No.: TCH-C454

Species: Human
Tissue Origin: Lung
Disease Characteristics: Small Cell Lung Cancer

Morphology: Spherical aggregates

Growth Properties: Suspension growth, with a small number of loosely adherent cells

Culture Medium: RPMI-1640 + 10% FBS +1% P/S
Matching Medium Catalog Number: TCH-G454
Passage Ratio: 5×10⁵-1×10⁶ cells/mL, with medium renewal every 2-3 days
Doubling Time: 36-48 h
Culture Conditions: Atmosphere: 95% air + 5% CO₂, Temperature: 37°C

Freezing Conditions:   60% basal medium + 30% FBS + 10% DMSO, stored in liquid nitrogen

Recommended HyCyte® One-Step Cryopreservation Medium (ready-to-use, serum-free, no programmed cooling required), Product No.: GUCP-R201
Quality Control: Negative for bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasma detection