The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family plays an integral role in both no
rmal and pathological connective tissue remodeling. The accelerated local t
urnover of the extracellular matrix is often found in tumour cell invasion
and metastasis. The development of MMP inhibitors thus offers a promising s
trategy to modulate metastasis. This review describes developments in MMP i
nhibitor research and patents related to cancer since 1998.