What are HeLa cells? A cancer biologist explains

The immortal cancer cells of Henrietta Lacks revolutionized the fields of science, medicine and bioethics. And they still survive today, more than 70 years after her death.

By: Ivan Martinez, West Virginia University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 2, 2026

Words: 824

Last Updated: 1 week, 2 days ago

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By Ivan Martinez, West Virginia University

In an amazing twist of fate, the aggressive cervical cancer tumor that killed Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year old African American mother, became an essential tool that helped the biomedical field flourish in the 20th century. As a cancer researcher who uses HeLa cells in my everyday work, even I sometimes find it hard to believe.

In February 2026, over 70 years after doctors took Lacks’ cells …

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