Similarly to other studies, our data showed that MMP-11 (Stromalysin-3) was preferentially expressed by peritumoural stromal cells (Basset et al, 1990, 1997) and that high levels of MMP-11 were associated with tumour progression and poor prognosis (Muller et al, 1993; Anderson et al, 1995; Chenard et al, 1996; Ahmad et al, 1998; Tetu et al, 1998; Lochter et al, 1999; Nakopoulou et al, 2002b). The gene discussed is MMP11; the disease is neoplasm.