Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy. Publically available cell lines are mostly of lingual origin, or have not been carefully characterized. Detailed characterization of novel HNSCC cell lines is needed in order to provide researchers a concrete keystone on which to build their investigations. Methods: The USC-HN1 cell line was established from a primary maxillary HNSCC biopsy explant in tissue culture. The immortalized cells were then further characterized by heterotransplantation in Nude mice; immunohistochemical staining for relevant HNSCC biomarkers; flow cytometry for surface markers; cytogenetic karyotypic analysis; human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus screening; qRT-PCR for oncogene and cytokine analysis; investigation of activated, cleaved Notch1 levels; and detailed 35,000 gene microarray analysis. Results: Characterization experiments confirmed the human HNSCC origin of USC-HN1, including a phenotype similar to the original tumor. Viral screening revealed no HPV or EBV infection, while western blotting displayed significant upregulation of activated, cleaved Notch1. Conclusions: USC-HN1, a novel immortalized cell line has been derived from a maxillary HNSCC. Characterization studies have shown that the cell line is of HNSCC origin and displays many of the same markers previously reported in the literature. USC-HN1 is available for public research and will further the investigation of HNSCC and the development of new therapeutic modalities.

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers are the sixth most common cancer in the world. Estimated annual incidence is 405 300 cases worldwide, excluding nasopharyngeal tumors, and 40 250 adults in the United States.¹ Primary treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and combinations.² Each may result in short- and long-term (often permanent) morbidity because of disfigurement, highly viscous saliva, trismus, dysphagia, and voice or resonance problems.³

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer, with more than 900 000 cases diagnosed each year, and is one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide.¹ In the United States alone, 50 000 new cases and 8000 deaths are reported each year.² It affects the oral cavity, the oropharynx, the larynx, and the hypopharynx. The most important etiologic agents in HNSCC are tobacco and alcohol.³ A large-scale prospective study determined that the relative risk of death due to cancer among smokers vs nonsmokers older than 35 years was 27.5 for oral and pharyngeal cancer and 10.5 for laryngeal cancer.⁴

Individuals who have undergone treatment for oral cancer oftentimes exhibit compensatory behavior in consonant production. This pilot study investigates whether compensatory mechanisms utilized in the production of speech sounds with a given target constriction location vary systematically depending on target manner of articulation. The data reveal that compensatory strategies used to produce target alveolar segments vary systematically as a function of target manner of articulation in subtle yet meaningful ways. When target constriction degree at a particular constriction location cannot be preserved, individuals may leverage their ability to finely modulate constriction degree at multiple constriction locations along the vocal tract.