Mmp-8 activation product, its determination and use

A method of treating a gynecological disease in a subject, the method comprising:

• obtaining a non-oral sample from the subject;
• determining matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) activation in the non-oral sample by determining a level of a MMP-8 middle-part activation product from a middle region domain of the MMP-8 sequence, having a size between 10-35 kDa, and comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 1 and/or SEQ ID NO:
• 2, or a fragment of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, in the non-oral sample, wherein the level of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product in the non-oral sample is an indicator of the level of active MMP-8 in the non-oral sample;
• comparing the level of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, or fragment thereof, to the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, or fragment thereof, in a reference sample wherein
• the reference sample is derived from a subject or a patient group that does not have the gynecological disease, wherein the subject has the gynecological disease if the level of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, or fragment thereof, is greater than the level of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, or fragment thereof, in the reference sample;
• or
• the reference sample is derived from a subject or a patient group that has the gynecological disease, wherein the subject has the gynecological disease if the level of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, or fragment thereof, is about equal to or greater than the level of the MMP-8 middle-part activation product, or fragment thereof, detected in the reference sample;
• and
• treating the subject in need for the gynecological disease.