Matrix degradation and the regulation of leukocyte recruitment and accumulation are important events in cancer initiation and progression.29 MMP-8 has been reported to harbour both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions, as well as pro- and anti-tumour functions.1 However, the prognostic significance of serum MMP-8 in CRC, as well as its associations with systemic inflammatory markers in CRC, have been unknown. The gene discussed is MMP8; the disease is cancer.