These proteases include MMP10, 15, 24, 25 and 26, hepsin, MTSP1, uPAR and also the inhibitor PAI1. By contrast, the levels of expression of MMP2 and MMP23 were significantly lower in the malignant samples, as were the inhibitors TIMP3, TIMP4, RECK, and the serpin-related gene maspin. No significant difference was seen between malignant and BPH samples for the expression of the remaining members of the MMP family. The gene discussed is MMP23B; the disease is benign prostatic hyperplasia.