The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, type IV collagenase, 72 kDa) in 47 cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions were localised by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies. MMP-2 mRNA was present in the stromal cells surrounding invasive cells in the majority of squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. In contrast, MMP-2 immunoreactivity was found in the epithelial cells. Our results indicate that there may be some interaction between carcinoma cells and stromal cells to produce MMP-2 which may contribute to the destruction of the extracellular matrix in invasive cervical carcinomas.