New Strategies for the Next Generation of Matrix-Metalloproteinase Inhibitors : Selectively Targeting Membrane-Anchored MMPs with Therapeutic Antibodies

Abstract EN

MMP intervention strategies have met with limited clinical success due to severe toxicities.

In particular, treatment with broad-spectrum MMP-inhibitors (MMPIs) caused musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

Selectivity may be essential for realizing the clinical potential of MMPIs.

Here we review discoveries pinpointing membrane-bound MMPs as mediators of mechanisms underlying cancer and inflammation and as possible therapeutic targets for prevention/treatment of these diseases.

We discuss strategies to target these therapeutic proteases using highly selective inhibitory agents (i.e., human blocking antibodies) against individual membrane-bound MMPs.