Compounds are provided herein which are emetine derivatives that can be used as prodrugs which selectively undergo activation to release emetine in specific cellular conditions. In one aspect, a blocking group is incorporated onto the emetine molecule by the derivization of the N2′-position with moieties that can be selectively removed by hydrolysis in the cancer/tumor microenvironment. Such compounds are less cytotoxic than emetine and are substantially inactive in non-cancerous cells. In one aspect, the compounds described herein can be used for the treatment of metastatic and non-metastatic cancers, including, for example, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia.