Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Multianimal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Tumor Measurements in Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Models
09:18

Multianimal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Tumor Measurements in Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Models

Published on: February 3, 2026

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors for cancer therapy:the current situation and future prospects

Barbara Fingleton1

  • 1Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Cancer Biology, 736 PRB 23rd and Pierce Avenues, Nashville, TN 37232-6840, USA. Barbara.Fingleton@vanderbilt.edu

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|June 5, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) show promise for cancer therapy but face challenges in dosage and side effects. Future success requires targeted MMPIs and reliable efficacy markers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes implicated in cancer progression.
  • Therapeutic inhibition of MMPs has been explored for nearly two decades.
  • Despite extensive research, MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) have not met primary endpoints in Phase III trials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the challenges and future directions in the therapeutic use of MMP inhibitors for cancer.
  • To highlight the potential of imaging technologies for measuring in vivo enzyme inhibition.
  • To discuss genetic insights into musculoskeletal side effects associated with MMPIs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trial data for MMP inhibitors.
  • Analysis of genetic studies in mice and humans.
  • Exploration of imaging technologies for assessing MMP activity.

Main Results:

  • All tested MMPIs have failed to reach primary endpoints in Phase III clinical trials.
  • Secondary analyses suggest potential benefits in specific patient subgroups.
  • Genetic studies offer clues to the mechanisms behind musculoskeletal side effects.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical development of MMPIs is hindered by dosage determination and side effect issues.
  • Targeting cancer-associated MMPs selectively and developing surrogate markers for in vivo efficacy are crucial for future progress.
  • Imaging technologies may aid in measuring enzyme activity and guiding treatment decisions.

More Related Videos

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases09:48

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases

Published on: August 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...