Introduction
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a form of cancer that accounts for 9% of childhood cancers cases and 15% of childhood cancer deaths. The mean age for diagnosis is approximately 22 months with over one third diagnosed before age one and 88% before age five. Neuroblastoma cells have no control over their growth and continue to multiply growing large masses of undifferentiated cells that sometimes spreads throughout the rest of the body. This cancer has no cure and is extremely devastating.
SK-N-SH belong to the neuroblastoma cell line, grow in an adherent culture, and are derived from bone marrow. These cells can be differentiated and adopt a new phenotype, characterized by extensive neurite outgrowth, with the treatment of trans-retinoic acid. Retinoic acid (RA) plays an essential role in cell development and growth. Research done previously shows that at certain stages of progression of the diseases, retinoic acid affects the arrest of cell growth and morphological differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.
SK-N-SH belong to the neuroblastoma cell line, grow in an adherent culture, and are derived from bone marrow. These cells can be differentiated and adopt a new phenotype, characterized by extensive neurite outgrowth, with the treatment of trans-retinoic acid. Retinoic acid (RA) plays an essential role in cell development and growth. Research done previously shows that at certain stages of progression of the diseases, retinoic acid affects the arrest of cell growth and morphological differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.