Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor

A matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (INN stem –mastat^[1]) inhibits matrix metalloproteinases. Because they inhibit cell migration, they have antiangiogenic effects. They are endogenous or exogenous.

The most notorious endogenous metalloproteinases are tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, followed by cartilage-derived angiogenesis inhibitors.

Exogenous matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors were developed as anticancer drugs.^[2] Examples include:

• Batimastat
• Cipemastat
• Ilomastat
• Marimastat
• Prinomastat
• Rebimastat
• Tanomastat

Metalloproteinase inhibitors are found in numerous marine organisms, including fish, cephalopods, mollusks, algae and bacteria.^[3]

See also

• Drug discovery and development of MMP inhibitors