Abstract: Objective To explore the expressions of metrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1)and metrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7)in esophageal cancer tissue and normal tissue,and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological features among Hazak esophageal cancer patients.Methods The expression of MMP-1 and MMP-7 in cancer tissue and normal tissue of 45 esophageal cancer patients were detected with reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR).Results The positive rates of MMP-1 and MMP-7 mRNA in cancer tissues were 75.56% and 73.33%,and the positive rates of MMP-1 and MMP-7 mRNA in distal normal tissues were 15.56% and 31.11%,respectively.There were significant differences in MMP-1 and MMP-5 levels between cancer tissue and corresponding distal normal tissue(P<0.05).The expression of MMP-1 was related to tumor,node,metastasis(TNM)classification,while the expression of MMP-7 was correlated with lymph nodes metastasis and TNM stage(P<0.05).Positive correlation was observed between the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-7(P<0.05).Conclusion The expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-7 play an important role in carcinogenesis of esophageal cancer among Hazak people.The combined actions of MMP-1 and MMP-7 may promote development of esophageal cancer.