We assessed the relative levels of secreted matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasminogen activators (PAs) in PC-3 cells, prostate fibroblasts and osteoblasts in the presence and absence of VEGF, TGFb1 and bFGF. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts secreted more MMPs -1 and -2 than did PC-3 cells, while PC-3 s contributed the majority of PAs. MMP-1 expression was downregulated by transforming growth factor b-1 (TGFb1) treatment in prostate fibroblasts and upregulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in both stromal lines. In PC-3 cells, TGFb1 and bFGF increased urokinase plasminogen activator secretion. TGFb1 decreased tissue plasminogen activator secretion in all cell lines. Prostate cancer cells associated with fibroblasts or osteoblasts have a variety of MMPs and PAs to facilitate matrix degradation.