Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology
The Impact of the HeLa Cell in the Field of Otolaryngology: Honoring Henrietta Lacks
By Jamil TL, Thomas CM, Mann S and 2 others.
Abstract
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.