Description
Endostatin is a cleaved product of the carboxyl-terminal domain of collagen XVIII. It functions as an anti-angiogenic cytokine that is expressed in various organs especially with high levels in liver, lung, and kidney. Endostatin inhibits angiogenesis by blocking the pro-angiogenic activities of VEGF and FGF-basic. In-vitro studies have shown endostatin blocks the proliferation and organization of endothelial cells into new blood vessels. In animal studies endostatin inhibited angiogenesis and growth of both primary tumors and secondary metastasis.