Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is the extracellular
enzyme that initiates the main pathway of collagen and
elastin cross-linking. LOX has also been correlated with
the ras recision gene, a putative tumour suppressor
isolated from revertants of ras-transformed fibroblasts.
The present study investigates the potential correlation
of LOX-dependent matrix protein cross-linking in the
stromal reaction of lung carcinomas, with reference to
the architecture of the main stromal reactions
accompanying the neoplastic breast tissues. A strong
LOX expression was associated with the hypertrophic
scar-like stromal reaction found at the front of tumour
progression in squamous carcinomas, adenocarcinomas,
large cell carcinomas, or at sites of initial extense in
bronchiolo-alveolar carcinomas. In contrast, little or no
LOX expression was found within the stromal reaction
of invasive carcinomas, small cell carcinomas, and
neuro-endocrine carcinomas. The significance of LOX
expression and of the stromal reaction are discussed, in
light of data that associate LOX expression with tumours
displaying a rather good prognosis