In this study, we did not observe correlation between the density of tumour-infiltrating neutrophils and serum MMP-8 levels, although our earlier study showed MMP-8 expression in tumour-infiltrating neutrophils in CRC.13 Instead, there is strong correlation between circulating neutrophil counts and serum MMP-8 levels.13 This suggests that the neutrophils in circulation may be an important source of serum MMP-8. The gene discussed is MMP8; the disease is neoplasm.