Prinomastat is a matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitor

Metalloprotease inhibitor

There are three classes of commonly used inhibitors for metalloproteinases.* In vitro, EDTA, 1,10-phenanthroline and other chelating compounds lower the concentration of metal to the point where the metal is removed from the enzyme active site....

 with specific selectivity for MMPs 2, 3, 9, 13, and 14. Investigations have been carried out to determine whether the inhibition

Enzyme inhibitor

An enzyme inhibitor is a molecule that binds to enzymes and decreases their activity. Since blocking an enzyme's activity can kill a pathogen or correct a metabolic imbalance, many drugs are enzyme inhibitors. They are also used as herbicides and pesticides...

 of these MMPs is able to block tumour metastasis

Metastasis

Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...

 by preventing MMP degradation of the extracellular matrix proteins and angiogenesis

Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...

. . Prinomastat underwent a Phase III trial to investigate its effectiveness against non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc), in combination with gemicitabine chemotherapy

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....

. However, it was discovered that Prinomastat did not improve the outcome of chemotherapy in advanced nsclc.