'Relocation' plan of metastatic cancer cells uncovered by Stanford r...(his colleagues turned their attention to...),Health

Date:1/5/2009

his colleagues turned their attention to a substance that they had previously shown to be involved in metastasis: a protein called lysyl oxidase, or LOX. In healthy people, LOX works to strengthen developing connective tissue by modifying collagen and elastin, which are components of the extracellular matrix surrounding many organs. LOX expression increases in cancer cells deprived of oxygen a condition called hypoxia that begins to occur when blood vessels fail to reach the inner cells of a growing tumor mass. Inhibiting LOX expression decreases tumor cell invasion and metastasis in the lungs of mice implanted with human breast cancer cells.

The researchers wanted to know how LOX affected metastasis. In the current study, they found that blocking LOX expression in the mice not only prevented metastases, it also kept the bone-marrow-derived cells necessary for niche formation from flocking to the site. When LOX was present, it accumulated in the lungs of the mice and was associated with one particular type of bone-marrow-derived cell known as a CD11b cell. CD11b cells, in turn, secreted a protein that breaks apart collagen and provides a handy entry point for the soon-to-arrive cancer cells.

"We've never really understood before how normal tissues are modified to allow metastases to target and successfully invade them," said Giaccia, who is hoping to devise a clinical trial to study the effect of blocking LOX activity in humans with primary cancers. "Now we know that LOX goes to the target tissue and attracts CD11b and other bone-derived cells to the pre-metastatic niche. If the mouse data is transferable to humans, and we have reasons to think it will be, we really believe way may have found an effective way to treat human disease."

'/>"/>

Contact: Krista Conger kristac@stanford.edu 650-725-5371 Stanford University Medical Center Source:Eurekalert

1 GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Volcano Corporation Announces the Relocation of Corporate Headquarters to San Diego
2. China Biologic Products Announces Approval for the Relocation of Fang Cheng Plasma Collection Station and for the Procurement of Excess Clinical Plasma
3. Eclipsys Announces Relocation of Corporate Headquarters to Atlanta, GA
4. Acupuncturists Relocation Tightens Relationship With Fertility Clinic
5. Combination of TYKERB(R) (lapatinib) Plus Letrozole Demonstrated Significant Improvement in Delaying Disease Progression for HER2+/ErbB2+ Post-Menopausal Metastatic Breast Cancer
6. Estrogen pills can benefit women with metastatic breast cancer
7. HER2 levels may aid in treatment selection for metastatic breast cancer
8. Debiopharm Announces U.S. NDA Filing of Trelstar(R) 6-Month Formulation for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Prostate Cancer
9. Grupo IMO Hosts Symposium on Use of TomoTherapy for Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiation Procedures : Experts Detail HiArt Platform Advantages for Treatment of Brain, Lung, Pancreatic and Metastatic Cancers
10. Blood vessel inhibitor shows promise against metastatic thyroid cancer
11. Discovery of gene mechanism could bring about new ways to treat metastatic cancer