In vitro malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by benzo(a)pyrene

► BaP-transformed 16HBE cells were established and identified by soft agarose assay. ► Five colonies on agarose were amplified and donated as T-16HBE-C1∼5 cells. ► T-16HBE-C1∼5 cells all formed tumors subcutaneously in nude mice. ► T-16HBE-C2∼5 cells showed lower migration capabilities than 16HBE cells. ► p53 and p-Akt (Ser473) expressed at high levels in T-16HBE-C1∼5 cells.