'Enzyme clue' to breast tumours

[E. Nigma]

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Scientists have identified an enzyme that is crucial for turning
breast tissue into tumours, according to a study published in the
journal Cell.

The Institute of Cancer Research says blocking the enzyme lysyl
oxidase (LOX) reduced the size and frequency of tumours in mice.

They say LOX stiffens collagen, a major component of the supportive
tissue in the breast.

A cancer charity said the study added to knowledge about how tumours
develop.

The supportive tissue surrounding cancer cells is shaped differently
to healthy tissue as well as being stiffer and more fibrous.

These properties have helped doctors to detect breast cancers, but
until now scientists have not known what was causing these changes.

'Clear physical change'

The team at the Institute for Cancer Research, using mice, found that
LOX caused the collagen to change in a process known as
cross-linking, which makes the tissue more fibrous.

" The next stage will be to test whether LOX has the same effect in
humans but it is likely to be some time before any potential new
treatment is developed."
Dr Alexis Willett Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Higher levels of LOX increased the levels of collagen in mammary
glands, made the tissue stiffer and correlated with a higher number
of tumours invading the breast tissue.

When the team used chemicals or an antibody to block the enzyme, they
found collagen in the mammary glands contained fewer cross-links and
was less fibrous.

The tissue also contained fewer, smaller tumours and they were less
aggressive.

Dr Janine Erler from the Institute of Cancer Research, who led the
research, said the study showed that stiffening of the breast tissue
controlled by enzymes such as LOX was a key factor in cancer
development. These enzymes could be a promising candidate drug
target, she added.

"The enzyme triggers a clear physical change in breast tissue and, if
we could stop this happening, we expect it would slow the growth of
any cancers that did develop and make them easier to eradicate."

'Cautiously optimistic'

Professor Valerie Weaver of the University of California in San
Francisco, who was also part of the team, said: "This study may also
help explain why the rate of breast cancer increases dramatically
with age - aged tissues are stiffer and contain higher levels of
abnormal collagen cross-links.

"I'm cautiously optimistic. We still have a lot more work to do, but
this is certainly exciting."

Dr Alexis Willett, head of policy at Breakthrough Breast Cancer,
said: "This early stage research in cells and mice increases our
understanding of how breast cancers develop and grow and suggests
that enzymes such as LOX could be a potential target in the treatment
of breast cancer.

"The next stage will be to test whether LOX has the same effect in
humans, but it is likely to be some time before any potential new
treatment is developed."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/8369377.stm

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