The matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor AE-941 (Neovastat®), a derivative of shark cartilage, is manufactured by Aeterna Laboratories. AE-941 has been of particular research interest in the treatment of some cancers, and was granted orphan drug status in 2002 by the Food and Drug Administration (1). In addition to reports of anti-angiogenic properties (2;3;4;5;6;7), AE-941 has been noted to exhibit vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition (8), and pro-apoptotic properties (9). Pre-clinical research (5;10;11) and initial human research (12;13;14;15;16;17;18;19;20;21;22;23) report good tolerance and potential benefits in renal cell carcinoma (16;24;25;26;27), with research in other tumor types including prostate (28) and non-small cell lung cancer (4;18;29), multiple myeloma (30;31), and bony metastases (32). Human trials are also reportedly underway in Chile, Japan and China (33).

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