Type XII collagen is elevated in serum from patients with solid tumors: a non-invasive biomarker of activated fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) and extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial in cancer research due to their impact on tumor progression. Collagens, major ECM components, regulate cell signaling and behavior. Of the 28 reported collagens, type XII collagen is known to be vital for ECM organization. Over-produced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), its upregulation correlates with poor survival in various cancers. This study aimed to develop an ELISA for quantifying circulating type XII collagen as a cancer biomarker. A specific ELISA targeting the C-terminal of type XII collagen was developed and used to analyze serum samples from cancer patients (n = 203) and healthy controls (n = 33). Additionally, type XII collagen expression was assessed in CAFs and normal fibroblasts

SUBMITTER: Crespo-Bravo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11269340 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature