Because MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP are frequently identified in the stromal tissues within HNSCC [4-6], and expression of these enzymes shown to correlate with patient outcome [1,4,7], we examined the role of fibroblast derived MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.