The Impact of the HeLa Cell in the Field of Otolaryngology: Honoring Henrietta Lacks.

INTRODUCTION

The HeLa cell, which was first taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1952, was the first in vitro cell line discovered and propagated in mass. From polio vaccine development to understanding cancer biology, the HeLa cell has allowed for immeasurable scientific advances. No prior review has examined how the HeLa cell has influenced the field of otolaryngology.

METHODS

A PRISMA-style approach was taken in this narrative literature review to understand the historical context of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and how the HeLa cell elucidated HPV-mediated cancers. Then, using MeSH terminology, each subspecialty of otolaryngology (i.e., head and neck cancer, audiology, otology, rhinology, and laryngology) was used to identify studies that incorporated HeLa cells to understand how HeLa cells made direct impacts on otolaryngology research.

RESULTS

The HeLa cell was crucial to identifying how HPV causes tumorigenesis, and due to enhanced cervical cancer knowledge, this boosted head and neck tumor discoveries. Basic biology, such as how cisplatin functions, which is now a common chemotherapeutic used for head and neck cancer, was studied using the HeLa cell line. Due to the cells' reliable, accessible, and rapidly dividing characteristics, the HeLa cell was also used broadly in hearing and sensory research.

DISCUSSION: Although the HeLa cell line comes with great bioethical controversy, the HeLa cell has improved the lives of countless people. It is important to consider the lives of historically underserved communities and individuals, such as Henrietta Lacks, to both honor and recognize the contributions diverse people from every racial and economic background make to science.