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| Science Forum Index » Medicine - Cancer Forum » Enzyme Behind Cancer Spread Found... |
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| E. Nigma... |
 Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:45 pm |
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Scientists say they have identified an enzyme that helps cancer
spread around the body.
Cancer metastasis, where the cancer spreads from its original
location, is known to be responsible for 90% of cancer-related
deaths.
Institute of Cancer Research scientists have found that an enzyme
called LOX is crucial in promoting metastasis, Cancer Cell journal
reports.
Drugs to block this enzyme's action could keep cancer at bay, they
hope.
The researchers studied breast cancer in mice, but are confident that
their findings will apply to humans with other cancer types too.
“ This new discovery provides real hope that we can develop a drug
which will fight the spreading of cancer ”
Lead researcher Dr Janine Erler
LOX (lysyl oxidase) works by sending out signals to prepare a new
area of the body for the cancer to set up a camp. Without this
preparation process the new environment would be too hostile for the
cancer to grow.
Lead researcher Dr Janine Erler described the discovery as "the
crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been
searching for."
She said it was the first time one key enzyme has been identified as
responsible for effectively allowing the cancer to spread.
"If we can interrupt the body's ability to prepare new locations for
the cancer to spread to, we can effectively prevent cancer
metastasis.
"Cancer metastasis is very difficult to treat and this new discovery
provides real hope that we can develop a drug which will fight the
spreading of cancer," she said.
Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's science information manager,
said: "A better understanding of how cancer spreads is crucial to
improving the treatment of the disease. This research takes
scientists a step closer to understanding this major problem - the
next stage will be to find out if the LOX protein can be switched off
to stop cancer spreading."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7813072.stm
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