The present invention provides a method of using (E)-1-(3′, 4′-dimethoxyphenyl) butadiene to induce anti-tumorigenic effects in pancreatic carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, colon carcinoma, lung carcinoma, lymphoblastoma, melanoma and colorectal carcinoma. The invention also provides a method of using (E)-1-(3′, 4′-dimethoxyphenyl) butadiene to prevent cancer metastasis.