MMP8 and neoplasm: Of the studied tumour-infiltrating inflammatory cells, serum MMP-8 levels only showed negative correlation with mast cells, when adjusted for tumour stage, patient age, and patient gender, but not with tumour-infiltrating T cells, which are considered more important in anti-tumour immunity.29 There is inadequate data on the role of MMP-8 in regulating mast cell function, requiring further investigation.