In the present study brefeldin A-ester (BAE) was investigated against Kyse-270 and EC9706 esophageal carcinoma cells as anticancer agent. Treatment with BAE led to a dose-dependent reduction in viability of Kyse-270 and EC9706 cells in 0.25 to 16 mu M concentration range. The viability of Kyse-270 and EC9706 cells was reduced to 28 and 21%, respectively on treatment with 16 mu M BAE. Colony formation was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in Kyse-270 and EC9706 cells on treatment with 16 mu M BAE. Treatment with BAE at 16 mu M led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in apoptotic cell fraction in EC9706 cell cultures. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was suppressed and that of Bax promoted in EC9706 cells by BAE treatment. The average number of EC9706 cells undergoing invasion and migration showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease on treatment with 16 mu M BAE. Treatment with BAE led to a prominent suppression in expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in EC9706 cells. In conclusion, BAE treatment inhibits esophageal carcinoma cell proliferation, suppresses colony formation ability and activates apoptotic pathway. Thus, BAE acts as effective anti -prolifer-ative agent for esophageal carcinoma cells and needs to be investigated further as chemotherapeutic molecule.