bay-12-9566 and batimastat

The cancer cells secrete proteolytic enzymes, which are important in the tumor spreading. The cells must cross basement membrane and extracellular matrix barriers in order to spread. The matrix metalloproteinases are a family of endopeptidases, which enzymatic activity depends on the presence of zinc ion in the catalytic domain. Matrix metalloproteinases hydrolyze extracellular matrix components such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin, proteoglycans and contribute to the spreading of tumor cells by eliminating the surrounding extracellular matrix and basement membrane barriers. This review describes matrix metalloproteinases family classification and structure, their role under physiological conditions and induced proteolysis during pathological processes. There is a balance between proteolytic extracellular matrix degradation and proteolysis inhibition, but under pathological state (e. g. tumor development) the proteolysis becomes uncontrolled. We review tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, their perspective in cancer treatment; as well as different matrix metalloproteinases expression in patients with tumors and its prognostic significance during cancer progression.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Biphenyl Compounds; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diphosphonates; Disease Progression; Enzyme Inhibitors; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Humans; Hydroxamic Acids; Imidazoles; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Neoplasms; Organic Chemicals; Phenylalanine; Phenylbutyrates; Prognosis; Protease Inhibitors; Thiophenes; Time Factors; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteinases involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. The MMPs have been implicated in the processes of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis; are frequently overexpressed in malignant tumors; and have been associated with an aggressive malignant phenotype and adverse prognosis in patients with cancer. A number of MMP inhibitors are being developed for the treatment of cancer. The most extensively studied class of MMP inhibitors includes collagen peptidomimetics and nonpeptidomimetic inhibitors of the MMP active site, tetracycline derivatives, and bisphosphonates. The hydroxamate peptidomimetic inhibitor batimastat and its orally bioavailable analogue marimastat, which bind covalently to the zinc atom at the MMP-active site, were the first MMP inhibitors to be studied in detail. Marimastat is currently being studied in randomized clinical trials. The nonpeptidic MMP inhibitors were synthesized in an attempt to improve the oral bioavailability and pharmaceutical properties of the peptidic inhibitors. Several members of this class of compounds are undergoing evaluation in phase III clinical trials. The tetracyclines and, particularly, the nonantibiotic chemically modified tetracyclines, interfere with several aspects of MMP expression and activation and inhibit tumor growth and metastases in preclinical models. A representative agent of this class, Col-3, is currently undergoing phase I clinical trials. The development of the MMP inhibitors, like that of other targeted and predominantly antiproliferative compounds, poses a challenge because the paradigms that have governed the design of clinical oncology trials may not be relevant to this new class of agents. The anticipated need for long-term administration of these drugs, together with their cytostatic mechanism of action, will require novel clinical trial design strategies.

Topics: Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antineoplastic Agents; Biphenyl Compounds; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drugs, Investigational; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Hydroxamic Acids; Imidazoles; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Neoplasms; Organic Chemicals; Phenylalanine; Phenylbutyrates; Protease Inhibitors; Pyrazines; Sulfonamides; Tetracycline; Tetracyclines; Thiophenes

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Azepines; Biphenyl Compounds; Humans; Hydroxamic Acids; Metalloendopeptidases; Organic Chemicals; Phenylalanine; Phenylbutyrates; Protease Inhibitors; Pyrazines; Sulfonamides; Thiophenes