Scientists identify enzyme to prevent bone metastasis

Scientists identify key to preventing secondary cancers

Scientists have identified a possible key to preventing secondary cancers in breast cancer patients, after discovering an enzyme which enhances the spread of bone metastasis.
The new research, conducted at The Institute of Cancer Research (London, UK) found that the enzyme LysYl Oxidase (LOX) released from the primary tumor causes holes in bone and prepares the bone for the future arrival of cancer cells.
The findings suggest that identifying LOX in ER negative breast cancer patients early, could allow doctors to block the enzyme's activity, halting disease progression.
The researchers also showed that treatment with Bisphosphonate [ Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphosphonate ], an existing class of drug which prevents the loss of bone mass and is already used to treat diseases such as Osteoporosis, was able to prevent the changes in the bone and the spread of the disease in mice.