SHP-77 was established in 1977 being derived from a non-encapsulated primary lung tumor from the apical portion of the upper lobe of the left lung. The patient was a 54 year old male with blood type O, Rh+. The cell line has a variety of unusual characteristics including the morphology of an undifferentiated large cell variant of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) but biochemical properties of a classical SCLC. SHP-77 express neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), NHK-1, CD56 and the cell surface leucocyte antigen Leu-7(HNK-1;CD57). Other neuroendocrine markers are L-dopa decarboxylase and dense core secretory granules. Gland formation and intracytoplasmic lamellar bodies have been shown by electron microscopy. This cell line is useful as in vitro target in 51Cr and III In release cytotoxicity assays. They are suitable for in vitro nude mice assays for evaluation of immune reactivity of cells and serum from lung cancer patients. In addition, they serve to evaluate the immune status of patients with SCLC who received radiation or chemotherapy treatment. SHP-77 cells are tumorigenic in nude mice and grow as circumscribed nodules without metastases formation. They have a reported doubling time of 96 hours.

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