Endostatin inhibits migration and invasion of cells taken from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, suggesting it may have promise for these cancers beyond suppression of angiogenesis, according to an article in the March-April issue of Anticancer Research.

“The vast majority of endostatin studies have concentrated on endostatin’s effects against endothelial cells and haven’t focused on the drug’s anti-tumorigenic possibilities,” said Dr. Susan Mallery, the study’s senior author. “We wanted to explore other options for endostatin use.”

In the current study, endostatin treatment reduced by half the number of carcinoma cells capable of invasion. The number of cells capable of migration was decreased by one quarter, and testing showed that endostatin suppressed gene expression of several pro-migratory molecules. Other assays showed that inhibition of both invasion and migration was probably due to disruption of microfilament function.

Based on the findings with cells taken from tumors of the oral cavity, the authors suggest that future research examine the possibility of postoperative drug use via a local delivery system. “About half of all people with head and neck cancers die as a result of local disease recurrence,” Mallery said. “Another major concern is patient compliance with follow-up treatment after the original tumor is removed.

“It’s possible that one day doctors could treat these patients with an implanted delivery device that dispenses a sustained, therapeutic drug concentration right where it is needed the most ? where the tumor was,” she continued. “Such a treatment option not only provides a constant therapeutic drug level, it also eliminates concerns regarding patient compliance.”