Abstract: Objective:To investigate the expressions of the matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2(TIMP-2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),and its correlations with the recurrence,metastasis and prognosis of tumor.Methods:The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in tumor tissue of the postoperative patients with ESCC were detected using the immunohistochemistry with Tissue Chip technique.The patients without recurrence and metastasis survived for over 5 years(group A),the patients with recurrence and metastasis died within 1 year(group B).Results:The squamous epithelium of the normal esophagus did not express or expressed little MMP-2 and TIMP-2.The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in ESCC tissue were identified,but the expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in group B were significantly higher than those in group A(P< 0.01).The expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were correlated with the tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05 and P<0.01).The expression level of TIMP-2 was positively correlated with the MMP-2(P<0.01).Conclusions:MMP-2 and TIMP-2 are overexpressed in esophageal carcinoma tissue,and which are significantly correlated with the recurrence or metastasis of tumor after esophagectomy.The combined detection of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 has important value in predicting the recurrence or metastasis of tumor after operation of ESCC.