It is thought that, in contrast to epithelial markers, such as plakoglobin or cytokeratins 18 and 19, mesenchymal markers, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, thrombospondin-1 and/or α1VI/α2I integrins may predict the invasive and metastatic phenotype of tumour cells. This evidence concerns the gene TIMP3 and neoplasm.