Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by recurrent inflammation and challenging disease monitoring, with invasive endoscopy as the primary diagnostic tool despite the inadequacy of standard noninvasive biomarkers. This study evaluates serum extracellular matrix (ECM) fragments, which reflect the remodeling of mucosa and submucosa, as potential indicators of disease burden and treatment efficacy. We […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The collagen-rich tumor stroma plays a crucial role in biliary tract cancer (BTC). Collagen biomarkers of type I collagen (reC1M), type III collagen (PRO-C3), type IV collagen (C4G), type VIII collagen (PRO-C8), type XI collagen (PRO-C11), type XVII collagen (PRO-C17) and type VIII collagen (TUM) may be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers. METHODS […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Novel noninvasive predictors of disease severity and prognosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are needed. This study evaluated the ability of extracellular matrix remodeling markers to diagnose fibrosis stage and predict PSC-related fibrosis progression and clinical events. METHODS Liver histology and serum markers of collagen formation (propeptide of type III collagen [Pro-C3], propeptide […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION There is an urgent, persistent, need for better biomarkers in clinical drug development. More informative biomarkers can increase the likelihood of drug advancement or approval, and implementing biomarkers increases the success rate in drug development. Biomarkers may guide decisions and allow resources to be directed to the projects most likely to succeed. However, […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can be challenging to diagnose, and treatment outcomes are difficult to predict. In the NORDTREAT cohort study, a Nordic prospective multicentre study, we aim to identify novel molecular biomarkers of diagnostic value by assessing the diagnostic test accuracy (cross-sectionally), as well as the […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Collagens are the major components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are known to contribute to tumor progression and metastasis. There are 28 different types of collagens each with unique functions in maintaining tissue structure and function. Type XVII collagen (BP180) is a type II transmembrane protein that provides stable adhesion between epithelial […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly aggressive with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. Moreover, noninvasive biomarker tools for detecting disease and monitoring treatment response are lacking. To address this, we evaluated serum biomarkers of extracellular matrix proteins not previously explored in SCLC. METHODS We measured biomarkers in the serum of […]

Abstract Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is characterized by a desmoplastic extracellular matrix (ECM). We tested the diagnostic and prognostic use of seven circulating biomarkers of ECM remodeling: pro-peptides of type III collagen (PRO-C3), VI (PRO-C6) and XI (PRO-C11), matrix metalloprotease (MMP) degraded type III collagen (C3M) and type IV collagen (C4M) fragments, granzyme B degraded […]

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a hard-to-treat cancer due to the collagen-rich (fibrotic) and immune-suppressed microenvironment. A major driver of this phenomenon is transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). TGF-β is produced in an inactive complex with a latency-associated protein (LAP) that can be cleaved by plasma kallikrein (PLK), hereby releasing active TGF-β. The aim […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE The purpose of this overview of osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers is to provide the non-specialist with a toolbox, based on experience acquired by biomarker researchers over many years, to understand biomarkers in general and their use in the OA field. METHODS We provide an update on this subject since the OARSI Primer on osteoarthritis […]