Abstract: Objective To explore the expression and clinical significance of MMP-7(matrilysin) and PTEN protein in primary human hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The expressions of MMP-7(matrilysin) and PTEN protein in 150 HCC specimens, 50 cirrhosis specimens, 50 hepatitis specimens and 30 normal specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results The rate of expressions of MMP-7 protein in cancer tissues, cirrhosis tissues, hepatitis tissues and normal tissues were respectively 47.33％（71/150），26.00％（13/50），18.00％（9/50），3.00%（1/30）and significantly different （χ²=31.83, P <0.05）. The expression of MMP-7protein in cancer tissues cirrhosis tissues was higher than that in normal tissues (χ²=20.17， P<0.05). The rate of expressions of PTEN protein in normal tissues, cirrhosis tissues, hepatitis tissues and cancer tissues were respectively 100%(30/0)，66.00%(33/50)，82.00%(41/50)，62.67%(94/150) and significantly different（χ²=20.99, P<0.05）.The expression of PTEN protein in cancer tissues was weaker than in normal tissues（χ²=16.26，P<0.05）. Conclusion The expression of MMP-7 is closely associated with the expression of PTEN in HCC and they are negatively corre-lated; The abnormal expression of MMP-7 and PTEN are closely associated with the development of HCC.They may play important roles in development of HCC.