Here, we proposed a more extensive approach by analyzing the mRNA expression levels of different MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-14) and MMP inhibitors by qRT-PCR (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and RECK) in several models (five human breast cancer cell lines, 72 primary breast tumors and 30 adjacent normal tissues). This evidence concerns the gene TIMP1 and breast cancer.