Abstract: The present application provides an in vitro method for determining the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a subject, the method comprising determining in an isolated sample from the subject the level of an expression product of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of collagen type V alpha 1 chain (COL5A1), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1), integrin subunit alpha 4 (ITGA4), integrin subunit beta 1 (ITGB1), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1), the at least one gene being determined optionally in combination with one or both of collagen type XI alpha 1 chain (COL11A1) and collagen type V alpha 2 chain (COL5A2), wherein when the level of the expression product(s) is(are) higher than a reference value this is indicative of a degraded ECM. Methods for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer and aneurysms are also provided.

Abstract: The present application provides an in vitro method for determining the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a subject, the method comprising determining in an isolated sample from the subject the level of an expression product of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of collagen type V alpha 1 chain (COL5A1), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1), integrin subunit alpha 4 (ITGA4), integrin subunit beta 1 (ITGB1), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1), the at least one gene being determined optionally in combination with one or both of collagen type XI alpha 1 chain (COL11A1) and collagen type V alpha 2 chain (COL5A2), wherein when the level of the expression product(s) is(are) higher than a reference value this is indicative of a degraded ECM. Methods for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer and aneurysms are also provided.