We reported that the antitumor and antimetastatic actions of resveratrol might be due to the inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis. To search for anticancer agents with stronger activity than resveratrol, we examined the antiangiogenic effects of 21 synthetic and/or natural stilbenes. Among these 21 stilbenes, 2,3-, 3,4-, and 4,4′-dihydroxystilbene inhibited the pro-matrix metalloproteinase (pro-MMP)-9 production in colon 26 cells at 5-25 mM, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration at 10 and 25 mM, and VEGFinduced angiogenesis at 5-50 mM. Resvertarol inhibited the pro-MMP-9 production and VEGF-induced angiogenesis at 25 or 50 mM. Thus, the inhibition of pro-MMP-9 production in colon 26 cells and VEGF-induced angiogenesis by three dihydroxystilbenes were greater than those of resveratrol. The three dihydroxystilbenes (8 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) inhibited the tumor-induced neovascularization in colon 26-packed chamber-bearing mice and the tumor growth in colon 26-bearing mice. Furthermore, the three dihydroxystilbenes inhibited VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 phosphorylation. On the other hand, the three dihydroxystilbenes had no effect on VEGFR-1 and-2 expression, and VEGF-induced VEGFR-1 phosphorylation in HUVECs. These findings suggest that the inhibition of tumor-induced neovascularization by these three dihydroxystilbenes may be due (1) They stimulate cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. (2) When MMPs are secreted from tumor cells, the invasion of tumor cells is facilitated by increased intravasation and extravasation through the degradation of the ECM and basement membranes.