Effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (rhBMP-7) on the behaviour of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a preliminary in vitro study

We investigated the effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7) on the behaviour of oral keratinocytes and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells in vitro. Expression of all three BMP receptors was high (p < 0.01), and rhBMP-7 exhibited significant dose-related inhibitory effects on the doubling time and viability of cancer cells (p < 0.01), but not on the proliferation or viability of oral keratinocytes. It elicited no significant effect on the invasion of Matrigel in SCC of the head and neck. Results indicate that in cell culture, rhBMP-7 exerts antineoplastic effects. This should be tested in an orthotopic animal model to more closely replicate in vivo effects.