The potential for long-term inhibition of hypoxia-induced proteins in patients after primary tumour treatment to prevent the subsequent development and growth of tumour metastases is unknown, although the importance of proteins, such as LOX and CXCR4, in a number of normal physiological processes may preclude the long-term use of LOX or CXCR4 inhibitors as prophylactics against metastatic disease. The gene discussed is LOX; the disease is metastatic neoplasm.