Endostatin was initially isolated in Dr. Judah Folkman’s lab, a pioneer in the field of angiogenesis research . The protein is produced by the proteolytic cleavage of collagen XVIII by enzymes such as cathepsins . Its anti-angiogenic activity is attributed to its ability to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, which are essential steps in the angiogenesis process .
The recombinant form of endostatin (rh-endostatin) has been developed to enhance its stability and solubility for clinical use . Early studies demonstrated that continuous low-dose administration of rh-endostatin was more effective than intermittent dosing in preclinical models . This led to the development of various administration protocols, including continuous intravenous infusion followed by subcutaneous injections .
Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rh-endostatin in cancer treatment. A phase I study demonstrated that rh-endostatin could be safely administered both by continuous infusion and by twice-daily subcutaneous injections up to 120 mg/m²/day . The pharmacokinetic profile showed predictable serum concentrations, and the target endostatin levels were achieved at doses of 60 mg/m²/day and above .
In a more recent study, rh-endostatin combined with PD-1 inhibitors and chemotherapy showed promising results as a first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . The combination therapy yielded favorable effectiveness with a manageable safety profile, representing a promising treatment modality for patients with advanced cancer .