The members of the matrix metalloproteinase family (MMP) have the ability to degrade macromolecules of the extracellular matrix and are responsible for tumor invasion and infiltration, limiting the effectiveness of the neurosurgical resection of brain tumors. Among the glial brain tumors, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are the most important tumor entities and require a different therapeutic approach. To determine the pattern of MMP expression in astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors, sections of astrocytic and oligodendroglial differentiated glioblastomas (WHO grade IV), as well as of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade III) and anaplastic gemistocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade III) were immunostained for MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-10 and MMP-11. MMP-7, MMP-10 and MMP-11 were strongly expressed by neoplastic gemistocytic astrocytes while oligodendrocytic tumor regions showed only a low immunoreaction. In contrast, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mainly immunolabeled vascular structures. These data indicated that MMP-7, MMP-10 and MMP-11 contribute to the worse prognosis of astrocytic tumors when compared to oligodendrogliomas, while MMP-2 and MMP-9 might play an important role in neo-angiogenesis and tumor vascularization.