Targeting the lysyl oxidases in tumour desmoplasia

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a fundamental component of tissue microenvironments and its dysregulation has been implicated in a number of diseases, in particular cancer. Tumour desmoplasia (fibrosis) accompanies the progression of many solid cancers, and is also often induced as a result of many frontline chemotherapies. This has recently led to an increased interest in targeting the underlying processes. The major structural components of the ECM contributing to desmoplasia are the fibrillar collagens, whose key assembly mechanism is the enzymatic stabilisation of procollagen monomers by the lysyl oxidases. The lysyl oxidase family of copper-dependent amine oxidase enzymes are required for covalent cross-linking of collagen (as well as elastin) molecules into the mature ECM. This key step in the assembly of collagens is of particular interest in the cancer field since it is essential to the tumour desmoplastic response. LOX family members are dysregulated in many cancers and consequently the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting their enzymatic activity has been initiated by many groups. Development of specific small molecule inhibitors however has been hindered by the lack of crystal structures of the active sites, and therefore alternate indirect approaches to target LOX have also been explored. In this review, we introduce the importance of, and assembly steps of the ECM in the tumour desmoplastic response focussing on the role of the lysyl oxidases. We also discuss recent progress in targeting this family of enzymes as a potential therapeutic approach.