MMP1 and neoplasm: Our data demonstrated a significant association between MMP-1 mRNA level and clinicopathological parameters, including tumour size (p < 0.0153), cellular differentiation (p < 0.0225), tumour stage (p < 0.0016), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0285), and distant metastasis (p < 0.0128, Figure 2).