The SK-N-AS cell line is a human neuroblastoma cell line derived from the bone marrow metastasis of a 6-year-old female patient. Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that arises from immature nerve cells called neuroblasts, predominantly affecting children under the age of 10. It is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and accounts for about 15% of pediatric cancer deaths.

The SK-N-AS cell line serves as an in vitro model system for studying neuroblastoma biology, molecular mechanisms, and potential therapeutics. Researchers have utilized this cell line in various studies to investigate the role of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and signaling pathways in neuroblastoma development and progression. Additionally, SK-N-AS cells have been employed to test the efficacy of potential anti-cancer drugs and to study drug resistance mechanisms specific to neuroblastoma.

One interesting characteristic of the SK-N-AS cell line is that it lacks the amplification of the MYCN oncogene, which is present in about 20% of neuroblastoma cases and is associated with a poor prognosis. As a result, the SK-N-AS cell line is particularly useful for studying neuroblastoma cases without MYCN amplification and for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this subset of neuroblastoma tumors.

In summary, the SK-N-AS cell line is a valuable tool for researchers working in the field of pediatric oncology, as it provides insights into the biology and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroblastoma and aids in the development and testing of potential therapeutic strategies.