Our results are in agreement with the literature findings of MMP1 over-expression associated with progression of pre-malignant oral lesions; in this context, our data showing MMP1 over-expression in histologically normal surgical margins from patients who developed local recurrence support the notion that MMP1 may be involved in initial steps of cellular transformation and tumorigenesis, as well as invasion of oral carcinoma cells. The gene discussed is MMP1; the disease is lip and oral cavity carcinoma.