The expression of the latent forms of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-3 and MMP-9, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 expression were observed in both tumour and normal tissue samples from breast and colorectal tissue; however, expression was greater in the tumour tissue. The gene discussed is MMP2; the disease is neoplasm.