ICR - The Institute of Cancer Research: Global Foundation

Funding the world's most cutting edge cancer research

DONATE NOW

GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH Lox enzyme crucial for cancer spread

Related scientists

Dr. Janine Erler

Hypoxia and Metastasis Team Leader

Identifying factors that influence cancer spread, including the LOX enzyme

Meet Dr. Erler

More research stories:

Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) scientist Dr. Janine Erler, working in collaboration with Professor Valerie Weaver from the University of California, San Francisco, has identified an enzyme that is crucial for turning abnormal but non-malignant breast tissue into tumors. Blocking the enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) reduced the chance a tumor would form, and also meant tumors that did develop were smaller and less aggressive.

"This is the crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been searching for,” says Dr. Janine Erler.  “Our study shows that stiffening of the breast tissue controlled by enzymes such as LOX is a key factor in cancer development, suggesting these enzymes are promising candidate drug targets.”

Dr. Erler’s previous studies have already highlighted the importance of LOX in cancer spread, showing that it promotes metastasis by sending out signals that prepare a new area of the body for invasion. The new study shows that LOX is also crucial for primary tumor progression.

Although both studies were carried out in breast cancer, Dr. Erler says it is likely a similar mechanism occurs in other cancer types, as LOX levels are known to be elevated in many cancer types.

What makes the current study unique is that the investigators showed that it is the cells within the connective tissue surrounding the growing tumors that express the LOX enzyme.  These cells induce the tissue stiffening and fibrosis that then, through mechanical forces, promote the tumor cells to become invasive. These observations are significant because they emphasize the need to treat tumors early and to focus on the tissue microenvironment – not just the tumor but the surrounding area too.

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, University of California, San Francisco, Stanford University School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of North Carolina also contributed to this study.

Related Stories

Meet the scientists

The scientists

Behind every cancer research breakthrough is a scientist committed to unlocking the mysteries of cancer.

Meet top scientists

Support us and save lives

Support us and save lives

There are many ways to help scientists eliminate the fear of cancer as a life-threatening disease.

Find the one that’s right for you