Background. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to proteolytic enzymes. Degradation of the cell basement membrane and the extracellular matrix is one of their functions. In malignant tumors they can hypothetically contribute to the invasion and metastasis formation. They are mostly produced by stromal cells (fibroblasts and endothelial cells) as a response to the presence of tumor cells. MMP-2 (gelatinase A), MMP-9 (gelatinase B) and MMP-11 (stromelysin 3) are often mentioned in regard to Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Results. The relation between the expression of the above-mentioned matrix metalloproteinases in stromal cells and the cancer-related survival in 80 patients after curative resection of NSCLC in stage I according to TNM was studied. The expression of MMP-2 was associated with cancer-related survival but without significant correlation. No correlation was found in MMP-9. There was a statistically near-significant relation between the expression of MMP-11 and cancer-related survival. Conclusions. The expression of MMP-11 in stromal cells in surgically treated NSCLC patients in stage I appears useful for evaluation of their prognosis.

        Key words: non-small cell lung cancer, stromal cells, matrix metalloproteinases.