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Updated: May 9, 2026

Longitudinal Measurement of Extracellular Matrix Rigidity in 3D Tumor Models Using Particle-tracking Microrheology
Published on: June 10, 2014
Elastin turnover in malignant solid tumors
Barry Starcher1, Edward Sauter, Coty Ho
1Department of Biochemistry and.
Abstract:
Desmosine, a crosslinking amino acid unique to elastin, was investigated as a possible biomarker for cancer. Twenty-eight normal controls, median age 67 years, had a median value for urine desmosine of 43.5 picomoles desmosine/mg creatinine. The median for 19 untreated cancer subjects of similar age was significantly higher (175 picomoles desmosine/mg creatinine, p < 0.001). Urine desmosine levels in 55 subjects currently receiving chemotherapy, as well as 67 individuals who had survived cancer and were currently clinically disease free, were not significantly different from controls. Our findings indicate that elastin is being turned over in malignant solid tumors, releasing significantly elevated levels of desmosine in the urine.
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