ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and clinical implication of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in colorectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TIMP-1 expression in 54 colorectal carcinoma was observed by SP immunohistochemical method, and the results were analyzed in relation to the clinical data of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TIMP-1 was localized on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of the enteric epithelial cells, and its expression rate was 100% in normal tissue but only 59.6% (31/52) in colorectal carcinoma tissues. In addition, the expression rate of TIMP-1 was higher in the tumor tissues without lymph node metastasis than in tissues with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of TIMP-1 is inversely correlated to lymph node metastasis of colorectal carcinoma, and decreased TIMP-1 expression may play a role in the progression of colorectal carcinoma.</p>