Establishment and molecular characterization of the novel cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line from advanced-stage Indian patient

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most prevalent skin cancer with low metastatic potential; it poses significant morbidity challenges. CSCC possesses significant heterogeneity and the treatment presents a formidable challenge. To gain a clear insight into the diverse nature of these tumors, the development of an in vitro cell line model is essential. However, there are few cell lines that were established, and only one skin SCC cell line is available on the ATCC. In the present study, we established and characterized a novel ACSCC1 cell line from the advanced-stage treatment naïve cutaneous SCC originating from the forearm of the Indian patient. The keratin expression profile showed the epithelial origin of the cell line, ploidy and karyotyping revealed the hyperdiploid population; ACSCC1 showed an increased tumorigenic and metastatic potential. Further, our cell line showed higher invasive, migratory potential and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). Additionally, the Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed an aberrant mitochondrial morphology and reduction in the cellular junctions. Further, our whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis showed mutations in the cancer-related genes. Overall, the novel ACSCC1 cell line can be used to decipher the molecular signaling in the cancer stem cells (CSCs); targeting the CSCs population may help in understanding the tumor recurrence.