AIM To study the inhibition effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB 94 on tumor growth and metastasis using Lweis lung carcinoma. METHODS Lewis lung carcinoma cell suspension [cancer tissue (g)∶physiological saline(mL) equal to 1∶3 ] were inoculated subcutaneously to 20 mice, they were randomized into 2 groups. From the 2nd day, the treated group was given BB 94 30 mg·kg -1 ip once daily (20 times) and the control group was given vehicle only (phosphate buffered saline, pH 7 4, containing 0 01% Tween 80). On the 22nd day, the weight of the subcutaneous tumor and the lung metastasis rates of the two groups were detected. The results were analyzed by Student t and x 2 test. RESULTS The subcutaneous tumor weight of the control and BB 94 treated group were found to be (6 75±1 45) g and (3 16±1 88) g, respectively( P <0 001). The rate of lung metastasis of the control and treated group was 80%(8/10) and 30%(3/10), respectively( P <0 05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB 94 has strong inhibitory effect both on growth of the primary tumor and pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma. AIM To study the inhibition effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB 94 on tumor growth and metastasis using Lweis lung carcinoma. METHODS Lewis lung carcinoma cell suspension [cancer tissue (g): physiologic saline (mL) equal to 1: 3] were inoculated subcutaneously to The mice were randomized into 2 groups. From the 2nd day, the treated group was given BB 94 30 mg · kg -1 ip once daily (20 times) and the control group was given vehicle only (phosphate buffered saline, pH 7 4, containing 0 01% Tween 80). On the 22nd day, the weight of the subcutaneous tumor and the lung metastasis rates of the two groups were detected. The results were analyzed by Student t and x 2 test. RESULTS The subcutaneous tumor weight of the control and BB 94 treated groups were found to be (6 75 ± 1 45) g and (3 16 ± 1 88) g, respectively (P <0 001). The rate of lung metastasis of the control and treated group was 80% (8/10) and 30% (3/10), respectively (P <0 05). CONCLUSIO N These results suggest that the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB 94 has strong inhibitory effect both on growth of the primary tumor and pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma.