Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors and cancer

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family plays an integral role in both normal and pathological connective tissue remodeling. The accelerated local turnover of the extracellular matrix is often found in tumour cell invasion and metastasis. The development of MMP inhibitors thus offers a promising strategy to modulate metastasis. This review describes developments in MMP inhibitor research and patents related to cancer since 1998.