ENPP1 as a biomarker for poor prognosis and early detection of brain metastases

Around 15-20% of all breast cancer cases are HER2-positive, which is a subtype with an aggressive course and an increased tendency to metastasize to the brain. A new study now shows that the enzyme ENPP1 undermines the barrier function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and can serve as a potential biomarker for the early phase of the development of brain metastases in HER2-positive breast cancer, meaning that ENPP1 inhibitorscan be used in future as a complementary strategy to prevent metastasis, especially in patients with high ENPP1 expression and proven BBB dysfunction.