[Establishment and characterization of a cell line (H-1) from squamous cell carcinoma of human gingiva--effect of temperature].

We established a cell line (H-1) from human oral cancer. It was derived from a biopsy specimen of squamous cell carcinoma in the lower gingiva of a japanese man. The cell line has now been growing in vitro for more than 86 passages. The cells had an epithelial morphology and grew as adherent monolayers. PAS stain was positive and activity of ALP also was positive. They had a doubling time of 37 hours and colony formation of 32%. Chromosomal numbers ranged from 49 to 75 and the modal number was 61. The cell line was tumorigenic in nude mice, its histologic examination showed identification with that from the original tumor. The cells were sensitive to hyperthermia.