Health

Breast Cancer Research Leads to New Hope

by Barbara McPherson | November 22, 2009 at 05:49 pm

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Breast cancer research done at the Institute of Cancer Institute working with mouse models have pinpointed an enzyme that made be manipulated to give new hope in the prevention or slowing of the disease.

The action of enzyme lysl oxidase(LOX) was blocked by the researchers which resulted in fewer cross linking of collagen, keeping the mammary tissue less stiff. Collagen is a type of connective tissue in the body.

Dr Janine Erler from the Institute of Cancer Research, who co-authored 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."

It is known that as women age, their breast tissue gradually becomes more fibrous and dense, containing high amounts of the cross linked collagen.

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