['TIMP1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1) regulates extracellular matrix turnover and also promotes cell growth and has anti-apoptotic activity, which promotes malignant processes in tumor tissue. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation of plasma TIMP1 protein levels with prognosis in patients with liver metastases, with particular regard to possible early-prediction of recurrence of the disease.', 'We studied a group of 87 patients with metastatic liver disease (mostly from colorectal cancer) who underwent surgery for liver metastases, and assessed their preoperative plasma TIMP1 levels. These levels were evaluated according to prognosis. Furthermore, we measured plasma TIMP1 in the post-operative period and tried to relate the changes with the diagnosis of relapse.', 'We found preoperative plasma TIMP1 levels to be related to overall survival in the group of all patients with metastatic liver disease (p=0.0047), with a higher level being associated with an adverse outcome; the cut-off value was set at 165 ng/ml. This applied to all patients, regardless of the type of surgery. Assessment of the post-operative dynamics of TIMP1 was not found to be statistically significant to indicate disease recurrence.'] Is plasma TIMP1 level a prognostic factor in patients with liver metastases?