Researchers Find Enzyme Behind Cancer Spreading

This is very exciting news, reported by BBC News. The Institute of Cancer Research scientists have found that an enzyme called LOX is crucial in promoting metastasis, as reported by the Cancer Cell journal.

Drugs to block this enzyme's action could keep cancer at bay.

These results were found in mice, but researchers are confident there is a corollary to humans.

LOX, which stands for lysyl oxidase, sends out signals to prepare a new area of the body for an invasion by cancer cells. If a part of this preparation process were removed, cancer would not grow.

Lead researcher Dr. Janine Erler said, "This new discovery provides real hope that we can develop a drug which will fight the spreading of cancer." She describes the discovery as "the crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been searching for."

(The photo to the right shows breast cancer cells.)