Effects of genistein on invasion and matrix metalloproteinase activities were investigated in HT1080 human sarcoma cells.Invasion of HT1080 cells through reconstituted basement membrane was inhibited when the cells were treated with 100 μ mol/L and 200 μ mol/L genistein.At the same concentrations

genistein not only suppressed latent forms of matrix metalloprotinese 2 and 9（MMP 2 and MMP 9） to convert into active forms

but also increase dramatically the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase（TIMP 1） mRNA contents and reverse the imbalance of MMPs and TIMPs.However

expressions of MMP 2 and MMP 9 were not significantly affected.Suppression of MMP activation and increase of TIMP 1 expression will decrease matrix degradation by MMPs

and consequently inhibit invasions of the cells.These results emphasized the existence of the imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs in tumor invasion and metastasis formation.The value of genistein as a drug for antiinvasion and anti metastasis chemotherapy was suggested.