Pharmacological inhibition of actin assembly to target tumor cell motility

Tumor metastasis remains an unsolved clinical problem. An initial and essential step in this process is active migration of tumor cells, which critically depends on reorganization of the actin Cytoskeleton. Factors regulating actin assembly are just beginning to emerge as potential targets for preventing dissemination and invasion of tumor cells. Recent studies have shown that actin-dependent cellular processes, including tumor invasion, can be pharmacologically modulated by small-molecule inhibitors of actin assembly. In this chapter, we summarize reports on newly identified small-molecule inhibitors that target a growing number of actin nucleation and assembly factors relevant for human disease.