Metalloproteinases from the gelatinase family, including matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) (gelatinase A, collagenase-4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (gelatinase B, belong to a very important group from the perspective of carcinogenic mechanisms of oropharyngeal and tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas. This evidence concerns the gene MMP2 and tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.