Multiple myeloma is characterized by accelerated production of the proteolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. We hypothesized that myeloma-produced MMP-9 may influence the rate of bone turnover in a paracrine manner. Thus, we examined the correlations of MMP-9 levels, disease severity, and bone turnover rate as evaluated by markers of bone formation and resorption. Thirty-seven newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients (nine of Durie-Salmon stage I, 12 of stage II and 16 of stage III) and 12 age-matched controls were studied. Serum MMP-9 levels were significantly higher at stage II compared to stage I (188.78+/-91.27 vs. 59.25+/-33.09 ng/mL, p<0.004). Additionally, free urine pyridinolines (F-Pyd), free urine deoxy-pyridinolines (F-Dpd) and urine N-telopeptide fragment (NTx) were elevated, their level correlating with disease stage (p<0.001, p<0.03, p<0.001, respectively), as were bone marrow infiltration and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (p<0.0001, p<0.01, respectively). MMP-9 levels were lower in patients compared with controls (p<0.001), whereas IL-6 and bone resorption marker levels were higher in patients than in controls (p<0.001 in all cases). Significant correlation was found between infiltration, MMP-9, free urine pyd, free urine dpd and NTx for each stage of the disease (p<0.03, p<0.003, p<0.002, p<0.003 and p<0.001, respectively). Levels of MMP-9 and of IL-6 in multiple myeloma correlate well with bone turnover rate and may be useful in disease evaluation.