Description: <p>
<strong>Echistatin</strong> is a small disintegrin peptide originally isolated
from <em>Echis carinatus</em> (saw-scaled viper) venom. It contains an
RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) integrin-binding motif and acts as a potent antagonist of
RGD-binding integrins, particularly <strong>αvβ3, αIIbβ3, αvβ5 and α5β1</strong>.
By disrupting integrin-mediated adhesion and signalling, echistatin can inhibit
tumour-cell attachment, migration, invasion, proliferation and angiogenesis.
Preclinical cancer studies have shown inhibition of tumour growth and pulmonary
metastasis, particularly in αvβ3-overexpressing osteosarcoma models, and
echistatin has also inhibited migration of melanoma, glioblastoma and pancreatic
cancer cells. Its anticancer activity is therefore primarily associated with
<strong>integrin antagonism</strong>, especially αvβ3 inhibition. Echistatin
is classified as an experimental peptide/disintegrin rather than as a
natural supplement, and current anticancer evidence is predominantly
preclinical.
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