Similarly, overexpression of MMP-1 in oesophageal carcinoma (Yamashita et al, 2001) and MMP-12 in patients with CRC (Yang et al, 2001) closely correlated with better prognosis, whereas the occurrence of elevated levels of a 50-kDa gelatinolytic MMP species (likely to represent MMP-1) in patients with breast cancer corresponded to better survival (Remacle et al, 1998). This evidence concerns the gene MMP1 and breast cancer.