['We studied whether or not the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were correlated with the proliferative potential or recurrence of intracranial meningiomas.', 'The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of 56 meningioma tissues were examined and scored by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Expressions of the mRNA of each MMP were also examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in 15 cases. The relationships between IHC score and each of age, sex, tumor location, histology, MIB-1 labeling index (LI), and recurrence or regrowth rate were studied.', 'Nine of 56 cases showed recurrence or regrowth. IHC revealed that MMP-2 was highly expressed in 13 of 56 cases, whereas MMP-9 was highly expressed in 22 of 56 cases. Among the 15 cases analyzed by RT-PCR assay, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed in 9 and 13 cases, respectively. Based on the Kaplan-Meier curve, the high expressions of MMPs were related to recurrence/regrowth (MMP-2: p < 0.001; MMP-9: p < 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between the expressions of MMPs and either age, sex, tumor location, or MIB-1 LI.'] Do matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expressions correlate with the recurrence of intracranial meningiomas?