protease inhibitors

Definition of protease inhibitor
National Cancer Institute

protease inhibitor

(PROH-tee-ays in-HIH-bih-ter)
A compound that interferes with the ability of certain enzymes to break down proteins. Some protease inhibitors can keep a virus from making copies of itself (for example, AIDS virus protease inhibitors), and some can prevent cancer cells from spreading.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms