ABSTRACT
Metastasis is a cascade of events that results in the spread of a malignant tumor from the primary site of origin into different organs of the body. This malignancy progression involves numerous complex processes such as alterations in the adhesive properties of tumor cells and their interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), modifications in the expression of ECM proteins, infiltrative progression through the ECM, the migration of cells through blood or lymphatic vessels, and increased number of distant colonies [1]. These variations are responsible for the spread, survival, and growth of cancer in a secondary site ensuing metastases and have consequently attracted considerable interest in anticancer therapy [2]. As most of the cancer-related deaths are ascribed to metastatic dissemination, biochemical processes both at molecular and cellular levels fundamental to metastasis remain to be a major thrust area of cancer research. The development of novel therapeutic strategies to avoid metastatic spread remains as a challenge for both medicinal chemists and biologists [3].
