The researchers have identified a key chemical which is guilty for breast cancer tumours spreading to other organs in the body. The burst through could escort to new treatments being developed to halt the slayer disease at an earlier stage saving thousands of lives each year.
The team of experts from Institute of Cancer Research revealed that an enzyme in the body is directly occupied in the spread of breast cancer tumour cells. More than ninety percent of cancer deaths are occurred due to disease spreading other organ like liver, lungs and bone.
The study seeks to unearth the ways to block the action of the enzyme known as LOXL2. In another study team found that higher levels of LOXL2 were associated with more aggressive form of cancer. This indicates that a test could be created to calculate the levels of the enzymes in sufferers and develop early treatment for the same.
The latest survey has shown that one in eight women will develop breast cancer at certain point in her lifetime. The enzyme encourages the spread of breast cancer by the method of controlling two proteins, TIMP1 and MMP9. Earlier studies have shown that these proteins play significant role in spread of tumour.
The enzyme has also associated with the progression of other forms of cancer, counting colon and oesophageal cancer. According to Dr Erler, their study shows that restraining the action of LOXL2 can considerably diminish the spread of breast cancer, recommending that drugs which block this enzyme may be effectual in preventing cancer from spreading.
It elevates the potential that they could develop a test to envisage patients who will develop aggressive condition. It could help them tailor treatment type and strength to individual patients, explained Holly Barker, postdoctoral fellow on the study, while talking about the connection between aggressive cancer and high levels of LOXL2.