TIMP1 and cancer: For instance, a number of studies have shown that increased serum concentrations of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), a major inhibitor of metalloproteinases, often is associated with a poor clinical outcome in various cancer forms (Ree et al, 1997; Holten-Andersen et al, 1999; Schrohl et al, 2004; Yukawa et al, 2004).