Furthermore, the absence of tumour-associated MMP-8-positive PMNs together with an elevated CRP level predicted a worse prognosis compared to a positive PMN score and a low CRP level (HR = 3.17; 95% CI 1.60–6.30; p = 0.001; adjusted for age, sex, T and N status, perivascular invasion, adjuvant therapy and CA19-9). Here, MMP8 is linked to neoplasm.