Compounds and methods for treating or preventing cancer associated with binding to the urokinase receptor are provided. Biological processes affected by the compounds include cell migration, cell growth, cell adhesion, angiogenesis, cancer cell invasion, apoptosis, tumor formation, tumor progression, metastasis, degradation of the extracellular matrix, pericellular proteolysis, activation of plasminogen, changes in the levels of an extracellular protease, and changes in the levels of a VEGF receptor.