Since EGFR in bladder cancer is associated with high stage and grade of tumour, and urinary concentrations of EGF are high, this study has investigated the effect of gefitinib on EGF-stimulated growth in two human bladder tumour cell lines, and the effect on MMP2, TIMP1 and TIMP2 levels found in the conditioned medium from the cultured cells. The gene discussed is EGF; the disease is urinary bladder cancer.