In CRC, systemic inflammatory response has been associated with decreased survival,30 whereas a dense intratumoural immune cell infiltrate is a marker of better prognosis.25,31,32 mGPS and NLR reflect systemic inflammation, and several studies have indicated that they are potential prognostic parameters in CRC.30,33 Our analyses show that serum MMP-8 levels are closely related to systemic inflammatory markers, suggesting a physiological link between MMP-8 and systemic inflammation. This evidence concerns the gene MMP8 and colorectal carcinoma.