Janine Erler

Janine Erler identified lysyl oxidase (LOX) secreted by hypoxic tumor cells as a critical mediator that activates distant fibroblasts to create pre-metastatic niches through collagen crosslinking and matrix stiffening, and demonstrated that LOX inhibition prevents metastatic colonization in multiple cancer models. Her work showed that CAF-deposited crosslinked collagen creates mechanically stiff microenvironments that promote cancer cell extravasation, survival, and proliferation at metastatic sites. She co-founded a biotech developing LOX inhibitors for clinical cancer therapy targeting the fibroblast-mediated metastatic cascade.