['Gastric cancer (GC) is the third most common cancer in India and is mediated by multiple genetic, epigenetic and environmental risk factors. A single nucleotide polymorphism rs3025058 at -1171 of the stromelysin-1 (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-3) promoter is resulting due to insertion/deletion of adenine thought to have an impact on increasing the risk for tumor formation.', 'This study is aimed to understand the role of stromelysin-1 rs3025058 (-1171, 5A/6A) promoter polymorphism in the etiology of GC in Indian population.', 'Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples of the GC patients and controls. The genotyping of stromelysin-1 rs3025058 (-1171, 5A/6A) promoter polymorphism was carried out by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction method followed by agarose gel electrophoresis.', 'The frequency of 5A/5A, 5A/6A, and 6A/6A genotypes in GC patients were 7.69%, 76.92%, and 15.38%, while in controls were 5.31%, 86.73%, and 7.96%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the distribution of 5A/6A genotype in patients compared to the controls (P < 0.05).'] Is heterozygosity of stromelysin-1 ( rs3025058 ) promoter polymorphism associated with gastric cancer?