indication

For the treatment of various cancers

pharmacology

Used in the treatment of cancer, it is an angiogenesis and metastasis inhibitor. As an angiogenesis inhibitor it limits the growth and production of blood vessels. As an antimetatstatic agent it prevents malignant cells from breaching the basement membranes.

mechanism of action

Marimastat is a broad spectrum matrix metalloprotease inhibitor. It mimics the peptide structure of natural MMP substrates and binds to matrix metalloproteases, thereby preventing the degradation of the basement membrane by these proteases. This antiprotease action prevents the migration of endothelial cells needed to form new blood vessels. Inhibition of MMPs also prevents the entry and exit of tumor cells into existing blood cells, thereby preventing metastasis.