MMP9 and cancer: Therefore, lymphocyte counts are inversely correlated with severity of cancer.16, 17 Cancer-related inflammation may also lead to an increase in number of neutrophils.18, 19 Furthermore, cytokines, which are produced by cancerous cells, may trigger the migration of neutrophils from blood to tumor microenvironment; thus, neutrophils may stimulate the tumor growth and angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor, IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinase-9.20, 21, 22