DigitalUM :: Browsing by Subject "Pancreas"

Browsing by Subject "Pancreas"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 28

Open Access
A surgical model of short bowel syndrome induces a long-lasting increase in pancreatic beta-cell mass
(F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2015) Pérez-Arana, G.; Camacho-Ramírez, A.; Segundo-Iglesias, M.C.; Lechuga-Sancho, A.M.; Sancho-Maraver, E.; Aguilar-Diosdado, M.
Several surgical techniques are used nowadays as a severe treatment for obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. These techniques are aggressive due to drastic changes in the nutrient flow and non-reversible modifications on the digestive tube. In this paper we present the effects of a massive intestinal resection on the pancreas. Results have shown that short bowel technique is less aggressive to normal anatomy and physiology of the intestinal tract than Gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion (e.g.). In this paper we reproduce a model of short bowel syndrome (SIC), with similar surgical conditions and clinical complications as seen in human cases. This work was conducted on normal Wistar rats, with no other concurrent factors, in order to determine the effects on normal pancreas islets. We measured pancreatic implications by histomorphometric studies, which included beta-cell mass by immunocytochemistry, and apoptosis/proliferation test with TUNEL technique and Ki-67. Briefly, we reported on an increased relative area of the islets of the pancreas, as well as an increase in the average size of islets in the SIC versus the control group. Furthermore we stated that this increase in size of the pancreatic islets is due to the mechanisms of proliferation of beta cells in animals undergoing SIC. These goals could reveal a direct influence of surgical modification of the digestive tract over the pancreatic beta cell homeostasis. In this sense, there are many potential stimulators of intestinal adaptation, including peptide hormones and growth components which are associated or involved as effectors of the endocrine pancreas.
Open Access
Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. A histologic, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1994) Caruso, R.A.; Inferrera, A.; Tuccari, G.; Barresi, G.
-
Open Access
Angiogenesis index CD105 (Endoglin)-CD31 (PECAM-1) as a predictive factor for invasion and proliferation in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2010) Tachezy, Michael; Reichelt, Uta; Melenberg, Tanja; Gebauer, Florian; Izbicki, Jacob R.; Kaifi, Jussuf T.
Background: Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is an increasingly diagnosed entity since its definition by the World Health Organization in 1996. It has a broad clinical spectrum ranging from benign to malignant tumors. Optimum treatment is controversial and a better understanding of the development of IPMN of the pancreas and identification of potential prognostic factors will help to address this. Angiogenesis plays an elementary role in the development of malignant tumors and may well also be important in the development of IPMN of the pancreas. Therefore we investigated endothelial cell marker CD31 (PECAM-1) and angiogenesis associated marker CD105 (Endoglin) by immunohistochemistry. Methods: Thirty-two cases of surgically resected IPMN were chosen retrospectively and clinical data were obtained. Specimens were stained for proliferation marker (Ki-67), CD31 and CD105 by immunohistochemistry. A CD105/CD31 Angiogenesis ratio (AR) was established to determine the proliferating fraction of endothelial cells. Results: The AR is significantly elevated in invasive IPMN of the pancreas (Mann-Whitney-U Test, p<0.05) and is associated with the Ki-67-labelling-index, demonstrating synergy between tumor-growth and neovascularisation. Invasive IPMN of the pancreas is associated with significantly lower recurrence-free and overall survival. Conclusions: Neovascularisation plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of invasive IPMN of the pancreas, and therefore angiogenesis-associated molecules like CD105 and CD31 might be useful tools as prognostic markers. Furthermore, the results indicate a potential role for adjuvant anti-angiogenic therapies in selected patients with recurring and/or invasive IPMN of the pancreas.
Open Access
Bariatric surgery influences β-Cell turnover in non obese rats
(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2017) Camacho Ramírez, Alonso; Blandino Rosano, Manuel; Segundo Iglesias, M. Carmen; Lechuga Sancho, Alfonso M.; Aguilar Diosdado, Manuel; Pérez Arana, Gonzalo M.; Prada Oliveira, J. Arturo
Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the different bariatric surgeries and pancreatic β-cell turnover. Material and Methods. We used healthy adult male Wistar rats to undergo the different techniques. Three surgical techniques were developed (malabsorptive, Sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-Y Gastric Bypass-), together with two control groups (Sham and fasting control). Pancreatic β-cell mass was measured, as well as apoptosis, proliferation and neogenesis related to cellular turnover. Otherwise, we measured the functional issues to elucidate the physiological role that these surgical techniques trigger in the carbohydrate metabolism (e.g. food intake, weight gain, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, and basal glycaemia). Results included the differences in phenotypes of the rat after the surgery. The rats did not show important differences in glycaemic parameters between the surgical groups. The β-cell mass presented modifications related with proliferation processes. A significant increase of β-cell mass in the malabsorptive technique was reported. On the other hand, the peripheral resistance to insulin tended to be reduced in rats which underwent malabsorptive and mixed techniques. Conclusion. This work showed an increase in β-cell mass after the resection of an important portion of small bowel. The Roux-Y Gastric Bypass produced a non-significant increase in β-cell mass. We considered that these implications of surgery over the endocrine pancreas must be one of the mechanisms related to the improvement of type 2 Diabetes mellitus following bariatric surgery.
Open Access
Beta-cell mass adaptation to ileum nutrient flow. An experimental model
(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2023) Salas Alvarez, Jesús; Campos Martínez, Francisco Javier; Camacho Ramírez, Alonso; Montero Peña, Cristian; Ribelles García, Antonio; Pérez Arana, Gonzalo M.; Prada Oliveira, J. Arturo
The population with obesity has increased at an alarming rate during this century. Bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to be a good method to control weight and, most importantly, associated comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure. The reason why this happens even before losing significant weight remains unclear. Many authors believe that incretins play a main role, triggering special functions of the digestive tract. In reports, these hypotheses are known as foregut and hindgut theories. Initially, the theories were mutually exclusive; additionally, many other propositions have been analysed, according to different surgical techniques (e.g., bile acids and specific enterohormonal components). To elucidate the participation of the ileum, we developed a surgical technique to study the rapid response to nutrients in the ileum. Our goal was to study the stress functional test and histological changes in the pancreas that may explain the variations in glycaemic homeostasis in our rat model. After the oral glucose tolerance test, the experimental group presented an increased insulin release response with conserved glycaemia. We report an increasing beta-cell mass in the experimental group (+11.87 mg vs. +9.65 mg, respectively), while alpha-cell mass was not different. Based on transcription factors, the pathways that were increased were the proliferation process (as the number of PCNA-positive cells in the experimental group versus sham (+12.06 vs. +6.2 PCNA+ cells/mm2)) and transdifferentiation (ARX; +2.67 ARX+ cells/mm2 in the experimental group vs. +2.04 ARX+ cells/mm2 in the controls). We report the consequences of the rapid arrival of nonprocessed nutrients to the ileum on the endocrine cellular pancreas. The ileum could be a principal effector in the enterohormonal axis, which conditions endocrine pancreas cellularity
Open Access
Cardiac and pancreatic lesions in guinea pigs infected with encephalomyocarditis. EMC, virus
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1991) Petruccelli, M.A.; Hirasawa, K.; Takeda, M.; Itagaki, S.; Doi, K.
Cardiac and pancreatic lesions were observed in guinea pigs infected with 2 variants (B and D) of encephalornyocarditis (EMC) virus. Cardiac changes were characterized by focal myocardial necrosis and subsequent replacement by immature granulation tissue. and the pancrcatic ones by vacuolar degeneration of acinar cells. In the electron microscopic esaminatioiis. tlie affected cardiornyocytes showed intracellular oedema. swelling andlor partial destruction of mitochondria, and distortion and disruption of myofihrils. Intracellular vacuolization and dilatation of roughsurfaced endoplasniic reticulurn (rER) were conspicuous in the damaged pancreatic acinar cells. In addition, intracisternal granules were found in dilated rER with a high frequency. These changes were common to animals infected with the B and D variants. On the contrary, B cell alterations: i.e. degranulation and degeneration of insulin granules, were detected only in animals infected with the D variant.
Open Access
Cystic gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the pancreas simulating cystoadenocarcinoma. Report of three cases and short review of the literature
(F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2014) Ambrosio, Maria Raffaella; Rocca, B.J.; Mastrogiulio, M.G.; Pesci, A.; De Martino, A.; Mazzei, M.A.; Volterrani, L.; Arcuri, F.; Cintorino, M.; Tripodi, S.A.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a distinct subset of mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. They are more common in the stomach and small intestine, and are characterized by the proliferation of spindle or epithelioid cells and by the expression of CD117. Extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare and only 13 cases of pancreatic GISTs have been reported in the literature, only 1 of which presented as a cystic lesion. Mutational analysis of KIT and Platelet derived growth factor receptor-α genes was performed only in two out of the 13 cases. We report 3 cases of cystic GISTs of the pancreas, radiologically mimicking a cystoadenocarcinoma. Routine histopathology and molecular characterization of the tumours have been performed. In two of them, molecular analysis showed unusual genetic alterations (the internal repeat of codon 502 and 503 in exon 9 of the KIT gene and the KIT exon 9 single nucleotide substitution c.1427G>T). Pancreatic GIST should be included in the differential diagnosis of both cystic and solid masses of the pancreas. The diagnosis should be accomplished by a combination of radiology, histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology. The evaluation of CD117 expression and the sequence analysis of KIT and Platelet derived growth factor receptor-α gene is mandatory for therapy.
Open Access
Cytochemical study of the involvement of cell organelles in formation and accumulation of fibrillar amyloid in the pancreas of NORß transgenic mice
(F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2001) Dobrogowska, D. H.; Vorbrodt, A. W.; Wegiel, J.; Wang, K. C.; Shoji, M.; Mondadori, C.; Polatis, G.; Giovanni, A.; Wisniewski, H. M.
Ph osphatase ultrastructural cytoc hemistry was used to evalu ate the participation of cytopl asmic orga nell es in the accumulation of fibrillar amyloid /3 (A13) in exocrine acinar cells and in macrophages of the pancreas of transgenic mice overexpressing a carboxyterminal fragment of A/3 protein prec urso r (A/3PP). Nu cleosid e diph os phata se (N DPase) and glucose-6- ph os ph atase (G6Pase) we re used as cy toc hemi cal markers of the endopl asmi c reti culum (ER), thi amine pyroph osphatase (TPPase) as a ma rke r of th e Golgi apparatu s (GA), and acid phosph atase (AcPase) as a marker of Iysosomes. Monoclonal antibody 4G8 raised aga inst the 17-24 aa sequence of human A/3 protein was used for immunogold loca li za tion of fibrill ar A/3. The results of this study indicate that the fo rmation of A13 in acinar cells occurs directl y in the vacuolar areas of the rough ER (RER) without evident participati on of the elements of the GA, whereas an intimate structural relation with primary Iysosomes suggests their role in modification or digestion of the deposited amyloid. In macrophagcs, fibrillar amyloid was prese nt in numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles located frequ entl y in close proximit y to fl attened saccul es of the ER. This structural pattern revea led simil arity to that observed prev iously in mi croglial cells producing fibrill ar PrP amyloid in scrapi e-infected mice and A/3 in brains of human eld erl y pati ents and in Alzheimer's type brain pathology.
Open Access
Distinctive immunohistochemical profile of mucinous cystic neoplasms of pancreas, ovary and lung
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2009) Silverman, Jan F.; Zhu, Bing; Liu, Yulin; Lin, Xiaoqi
Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas, ovary and lung have a similar histologic appearance. We investigated if immunohistochemical (IHC) studies could help in separating these neoplasms. Twenty-six ovarian MCNs (invasive carcinoma and borderline tumor), 12 pancreatic MCNs (invasive carcinoma, and with moderate or high-grade dysplasia), and 3 pulmonary MCNs (only invasive carcinoma) were retrieved. Our study demonstrated that pancreatic MCNs are positive for CDX-2 (67%), PDX-1 (100%), CK7 (83%) and CK20 (100%), while are negative for CA- 125. The IHC profile of ovarian intestinal type MCN is similar to that of pancreatic MCNs, except for lower frequency of CDX-2 expression (29% vs. 67%). Ovarian endocervical like MCNs are positive for CA-125 (100%) and CK7 (100%), while are negative for CDX-2, PDX-1 and CK20. Pulmonary MCNs are positive for CDX-2 (100%), CK7 (100%) and CK20 (100%), while are negative for PDX-1 and CA-125. All tumors are negative for TTF-1, D2-40 and WT-1. We concluded that an IHC panel of CDX-2, PDX-1, CA-125, and CK20 is useful in separating MCNs of the pancreas, ovary and lung.
Open Access
Distribution of DMT 1 within the human glandular system
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2003) Koch, R.O.; Zoller, H.; Theurl, I.; Obrist, P.; Egg, G.; Strohmayer, W.; Vogel, W.; Weiss, G.
Background & Aims: DMT1 is a transmembrane protein which transports the divalent metal ions Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+. Although DMT1 has been functionally linked to duodenal absorption and cellular utilisation of iron hardly anything is known about its distribution and potential role within the human glandular system. Methods: Two polyclonal antibodies were raised to study the expression of DMT1 in tissues obtained from human corpus by the means of immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Results: All antibodies specifically detected a 60 kD protein band referring to human DMT1. Significant amounts of DMT1 expression were detected on the luminal site of organs, which are involved in excretion/re-absorption processes, such as salivary glands, pancreas, biliary tract and gallbladder. Conclusions: Our results suggest that DMT1 may be of pivotal importance for the regulation of metal ion homeostasis within organs involved in absorption and excretion of ions.
Open Access
Distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in the mouse pancreas during development
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1990) Rodríguez Sánchez, F.; Casar, J.; De Castro, J.M.; Del Águila, F.
The distribution and time of appearance of 5HT-storing cells were studied in samples from the pancreas of mice embryos from 7 to 19 days of gestation. Additonally, 1- and 15-day-old newborns and adult specimens were also examined. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells appeared for the fist time in the dorsal pancreatic primordium at 10 days of gestation and increased rapidly in number through E15. From this age, the cellular number disminished in the exocrine pancreatic parenchyma, although an increase of endocrine cells in Wirsung's duct can be detected. At day 15 of extrauterine life, we could only observe some cells in the surface epithelium of pancreatic duct of Wirsung. Islet immunoreactive cells could only be detected in adult animals.
Open Access
Effects of preduodenal ileal surgical transposition on enteroendocrine intestinal cells in wistar rats: Histomorphological and serum changes
(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2025) Campos Martínez, Francisco Javier; Salas Alvarez, Jesús; Falckenheiner Soria, Joshua; Murube Algarra, Carmen; Camacho Ramírez, Alonso; Visiedo García, Francisco Manuel; Prada Oliveira, J. Arturo; Pérez Arana, Gonzalo M.; Ribelles García, Antonio
In our study, we focused on the role of the distal ileum as a main endocrine actor in relation to the pancreas. We investigated the effects of intestinally released hormones on the pancreas in terms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improvement, as a main effect of bariatric surgeries. To specifically study the importance of the ileum, we used an experimental surgical model performed in healthy Wistar rats. After preduodenal transposition of the ileum, we analyzed the histology and enterohormonal cells of the intestine. We measured the plasma level of several hormones and effectors in this enteropancreatic axis. We used a surgical control (Sham) group and a surgical group, where ileum preduodenal transposition (PDIT) was performed. We measured basal glycemia and serum levels of several incretins, including GLP-1, PYY, and GIP, and we performed a glucose overdose test. After two test periods, the basal glycemia and glucose overdose results were not different between groups, however, the PDIT group had significantly increased expression of GLP-1, with increased cellular release in the ileum and duodenum compared with the Sham group. Both plasma GIP levels and GIP tissue expression were decreased in the PDIT group compared with the sham group. There were no differences in PPY hormone levels. The ileum crypts and villi of the PDIT group showed improvement in histological parameters. We concluded that model animals had an altered transposed ileum related to the enterohormonal adaptation of the ileum. Our results indicated that the ileum is important in the hormonal control of the enteropancreatic axis.
Open Access
Effects of triple treatment with octreotide, galanin and serotonin on a human pancreas cancer cell line in xenografts
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) El-Salhy, M.; Tjomsland, V.; Theodorsson, E.
Human pancreas cancer cells were implanted s.c. in nude mice. After 11 days, the mice were divided into two groups of 13. The first group received sterile saline solution and the second received triple therapy containing octreotide, galanin and serotonin, 40 µg/kg/day as a continuous i.p. infusion via an implanted osmotic pump for 14 days. Triple therapy prolonged the survival rate of the mice bearing human pancreatic carcinoma. Both the volume and weight of tumours in mice given triple therapy were less than in controls (not statistically significant). The proliferation index and the labelling index for epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased significantly in mice given triple therapy vis-ávis controls. There was no statistically significant difference between control and treated tumours as regards, apoptotic index, necrosis, or number of tumour blood vessels. The increased survival rate was attributed to the reduced tumour load, since both weight and volume were reduced. It is most probable that octreotide was the responsible agent. Further investigation with single and double combinations of octreotide, galanin and serotonin are needed to identify the cause of increased cell proliferation in tumours subjected to these bioactive substances. Identifying the agent(s) inducing pancreatic cancer cell proliferation may be useful in combining a new treatment, as antagonists to these bioactive substances are available.
Open Access
Fat-rich diet induces inflammatory changes in the intact rat pancreas
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1987) Juhani Ramo, O.; Jalovaara, P.; Apaja-Sarkkinen, M.
Open Access
Islet dynamics, A glimpse at beta cell proliferation
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Yesil, Pinar; Lammert, Eckhard
Pancreatic islets consist of 60-80% beta cells, which secrete insulin, a hormone of profound importance in the regulation of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Beta cell death and/or dysfunction result in an insufficient amount of insulin that leads to high glucose levels in the blood, a metabolic disorder known as Diabetes mellitus. Many studies aiming to establish new therapeutic applications for this disorder are targeted at understanding and manipulating the mechanisms of beta cell proliferation and function. The present comprehensive review summarizes the advances in the field of beta cell renewal and focuses on three fundamental issues: (i) identification of the cellular origins of new beta cells in the adult, (ii) regulation of beta cell proliferation, and (iii) downstream signaling events controlling the cell cycle machinery. Although the source of new adult beta cells is still being debated, recent findings in mice show an important contribution of beta cell proliferation to adult beta cell mass. In conjunction with describing characterized beta cell mitogens and components of the beta cell cycle machinery, we discuss how manipulating the proliferative potential of beta cells could provide novel methods for expanding beta cell mass. Such an expansion could be achieved either through in vitro systems, where functional beta cells could be generated, propagated and further used for transplantation, or in vivo, through directed beta cell renewal from sources in the organism. Once established, these methods would have profound benefits for diabetic patients.
Open Access
lmmunocytochemical study on the innervation of the chicken pancreas by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing nerves
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1997) Hiramatsu, K.; Oshima, K.
Ultrastructural localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was studied in the chicken pancreas by the immunocytochemical method. VIPimmunoreactive nerve endings were found in contact with acinar cells in the pericapillary space or between acinar cells. They also terminated on epithelial cells of arteriolae. In pancreatic islets, VIP-immunoreactive nerve endings were in contact with B-cells, but not with A- or D-cells. VIP-imrnunoreactive terminals contained many small clear vesicles which indicate the cholinergic feature. Nerve endings containing many small clear vesicles but not showing VIP-immunoreactivity were also detected in both the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. According to these data and the previous studies concerning the cholinergic and VIPergic innervation of the chicken pancreas, it is suggested that VIP-containing cholinergic nerves innervate B-cells and cholinergic nerves not containing VIP innemate D-cell.
Open Access
lmmunohistochemical study on the distribution of galanin-containing nerves in the chicken pancreas
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1995) Hiramatsu, K.; Ohshima, K.
The distribution of galanin-containing nervous elements in the chicken pancreas was investigated by use of immunohistochemical method. Galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibres formed a perivascular plexus and a dense network in the subepithelial layer of secretory ducts. The muscle layers of secretory ducts were also supplied with galaninimmunoreactive nerve fibres. The exocrine pancreas received a supply of varicose nerve fibres showing galanin immunoreactivity. In the endocrine part, B-islets were innervated by galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibres, whereas A-islets received fewer nervous elements. Double staining combined with the immunofluorescence method for galanin and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry showed at least two types of ganglion cells in the interlobular connective tissue; one showing both acetylcholinesterase activity and galanin immunoreactivity, and the other showing acetylcholinesterase activity only. The present results demonstrate that the chicken pancreas is innervated by galanin-containing nerves of intrinsic origin and suggest that galanin coexists with acetylcholine in the chicken pancreas.
Open Access
Localization of NADPH-diaphorase activity
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1995) Tay, S.S.W.
NADPH-diaphorase activity was localized in pancreatic ganglia of the young chick. At 1 day posthatching, 60% of the neurons in the pancreatic ganglia were NADPH-diaphorase positive. In each neuron, the NADPH-diaphorase labelling was localized mainly in the cytoplasm of the cell body and its proximal processes, but not in the cell nucleus. There was a gradation in the labelling for the enzyme, with some neurons being heavily labelled while others were lightly to moderately labelled. At 7 days post-hatching, 100% of the pancreatic neurons showed NADPH-diaphorase activity and the average size of the NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons had also increased. By 14 days posthatching, al1 the neurons present were heavily labelled for NADPH-diaphorase activity. Some of the labelled nerve processes traversed long distances and finally terminated on other ganglia as well as on the exocrine acinar or endocrine cells. It is concluded that this increase in NADPH-diaphoraseINOS activity in the pancreatic neurons is possibly correlated to the increase in modulation of neurotransmission in the young chick.
Open Access
Morphological and histochemical changes in the liver and pancreas of gilthead, Sparus auratus L., induced by acute action of the anionic detergent, sodium dodecyl sulphate
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1995) Ribelles, A.; Carrasco, M.C.; Rosety, M.A.; Aldana, M.
This paper reports the morphological and histochemical changes in the livers and pancreas of giltheads (Sparus auratus, L.) induced by acute action of the anionic detergent, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Sixty-five giltheads were exposed to SDS concentrations of 5, 8.5, 10 and 15 mgll. The surface tension induced at each concentration was determined and the LC50 calculated. Morphological changes dependent on detergent concentrations and length of exposure were seen. Histochemical techniques showed alterations in carbohydrates and proteins, which may interfere with liver and pancreas function.
Open Access
New aspects on the role of lipoxygenases in cancer progression
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Catalano, A.; Procopio, A.
The Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a class of enzymes that convert arachidonic, linoleic, and other polyunsaturated fatty acid into biologically active metabolites involved in the inflammatory and immune responses. Recent evidences indicate that LOXs and the signaling pathways that are involved in their activation are also important for carcinogenesis and tumor progression. LOXs should therefore receive as much attention from cancer researchers as it has already from immunologists. In this article, we will review some evidence that the LOXs pathways affect several aspects of lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer progression. Moreover, we discuss how this new perspective on the roles of LOXs and their metabolites can have important implications to cancer therapy.