In our study, EMMPRIN expression was for the first time examined in gastric carcinoma and non-cancerous mucosa adjacent to carcinoma (NCMAC), and compared with its clinicopathological parameters of tumours, including expression of ki-67, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF proteins as well as prognosis to explore the roles of EMMPRIN in stepwise development of gastric carcinoma. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is carcinoma.