TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases) belong to a family composed of three members: TIMP-1,-2 and-3. They possess a high degree similarity in their structure including 12 conserved cystenyl residues at the same relative positions. Recently, they have been shown to inhibit not only proteolytic activities of metalloproteinases but also tumor cells metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we summarize their structure information, inhibitory mechanism of metalloproteinases, TIMPs-like secretory inhibitors, other biological functions of TIMPs such as growth-regulating activity, their chromosomal localizations and related diseases. We also mention their inhibitory effects on tumor cells metastasis in vitro and in vivo, and their clinical applications.