SK-MEL-37 Human Melanoma Cell Line

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and the fifth most common cancer in the Unites States.1 As survival rate depends on the stage of disease at time of diagnosis, early detection is crucial to improving disease outcome and saving lives. Amelanotic (or hypomelanotic) melanoma (AM) is a rare subtype of cutaneous melanoma, comprising between 2-8% of total cases.2 AM is characterized by decreased or null presence of melanin, due to loss of pigment in tumor evolution. AM is usually diagnosed at more advanced stages, resulting in lower overall survival. AM is frequently observed in patients with melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) genotypes linked to certain phenotypes such as red hair.2
The SK-MEL-37 amelanotic cutaneous melanoma cell line is a well-established model for human melanoma, widely utilized in investigations into the mutational landscape of melanoma and the enhanced antigen expression that occurs concomitantly with melanoma progression. SK-MEL-37 expresses the melanoma-associated antigens MAGE-A1, tyrosinase, and p97, and cell surface antigens essential for metastasis such as CD71 and CD146.3 SK-MEL-37 is valuable and highly characterized cell system for transformation of melanocytes into melanoma and identification of therapeutic targets for this disease.

Source
SK-MEL-37 was established from a metastatic lymph node of a 65-year old male patient with malignant melanoma of rectal tumor origin.4

References
1. CA Cancer J Clin 2019, 69(1): 7-34.
2. Cancers (Basel) 2020, 12(9): 2362.
3. J Cancer 2013, 45(5): 371-382.
4. J Exp Med 1976, 144(4): 873

SK-MEL-37 is valuable and highly characterized cell system for transformation of melanocytes into melanoma and identification of therapeutic targets for this disease.

The cells should be stored in liquid nitrogen until use. The cells can be cultured for at least 10 passages after initial thawing without significantly affecting functionality.

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