Its development may be strongly influenced by MMP and TIMP levels: Immunohistochemical studies have found MMP-1, -2, -9, and -19, membrane-type 1-MMP and physiological inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-2 and -3) to have a heterogeneous distribution and intensity consistent with regional differences in the tumor microenvironment [36]. This evidence concerns the gene MMP1 and neoplasm.