SK-BR-3

SK-BR-3 cells are a human breast cancer cell line isolated from the pleural effusion of a 43-year-old female patient with metastatic breast cancer. SKBR3 cells were established in the early 1970s and are known for their overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of certain types of breast cancer.

The cell line is characterized by genetic aberrations common in breast cancer, including amplification of the HER2 gene and mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The overexpression of HER2 in SK-BR-3 cells makes them a valuable model for studying HER2-positive breast cancer, which is characterized by aggressive growth and a poor prognosis, and for HER2-targeted therapies. SK-BR-3 cells have been instrumental in the study of trastuzumab (Herceptin), a monoclonal antibody against HER2 that has become a cornerstone in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

SK-BR-3 cells exhibit a robust in vitro growth rate and have been used in a variety of experimental setups, including studies on cell signaling, drug resistance, apoptosis, and the cancer cell cycle. These cells are also a key resource for the production of monoclonal antibodies and for research into the immune response to breast cancer cells.

In summary, the SK-BR-3 cell line is an indispensable tool in breast cancer research, offering profound insights into the biology of HER2-positive tumors and facilitating the development of targeted therapies that have significantly improved the outlook for patients with this challenging form of cancer.

37°C, 5% CO₂, humidified atmosphere.

1. Confirm that the vial remains deeply frozen upon delivery, as cells are shipped on dry ice to maintain optimal temperatures during transit.

2. Upon receipt, either store the cryovial immediately at temperatures below -150°C to ensure the preservation of cellular integrity, or proceed to step 3 if immediate culturing is required.

3. For immediate culturing, swiftly thaw the vial by immersing it in a 37°C water bath with clean water and an antimicrobial agent, agitating gently for 40-60 seconds until a small ice clump remains.

4. Perform all subsequent steps under sterile conditions in a flow hood, disinfecting the cryovial with 70% ethanol before opening.

5. Carefully open the disinfected vial and transfer the cell suspension into a 15 ml centrifuge tube containing 8 ml of room-temperature culture medium, mixing gently.

6. Centrifuge the mixture at 300 x g for 3 minutes to separate the cells and carefully discard the supernatant containing residual freezing medium.

7. Gently resuspend the cell pellet in 10 ml of fresh culture medium. For adherent cells, divide the suspension between two T25 culture flasks; for suspension cultures, transfer all the medium into one T25 flask to promote effective cell interaction and growth.

8. Adhere to established subculture protocols for continued growth and maintenance of the cell line, ensuring reliable experimental outcomes.

Mycoplasma contamination is excluded using both PCR-based assays and luminescence-based mycoplasma detection methods.

To ensure there is no bacterial, fungal, or yeast contamination, cell cultures are subjected to daily visual inspections.

For long-term preservation, place vials in vapor-phase liquid nitrogen at about −150 to −196 °C. Storage at −80 °C is acceptable only as a short interim step before transfer to liquid nitrogen.

Cryopreserved cell lines are shipped on dry ice in validated, insulated packaging with sufficient refrigerant to maintain approximately −78 °C throughout transit. On receipt, inspect the container immediately and transfer vials without delay to appropriate storage.

At Cytion, we stand behind the quality and viability of our products. We guarantee that our cells will be viable at the start of culture for 60 days after shipment from our facilities. We assure that all materials conform to the specifications described in the Certificate of Analysis and/or Product Sheet.

For full details, please refer to our Warranty Statement.