The collagen degradation fragments, C1M, C3M and PRO-C3 (from collagen I, III and immature collagen III, respectively) were not only increased in the serum of CRC patients as compared to that of patients with adenomas, but also proved to be discriminating serum biomarkers between the metastatic IV stage and all other stages in CRC [387]. The gene discussed is C3; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.