Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Establishment of an Extracellular Acidic pH Culture System
Published on: November 19, 2017
Pathobiology and Therapeutic Implications of Tumor Acidosis
Jenny Viklund1, Sofia Avnet2, Angelo De Milito3
1Sprint Bioscience, Stockholm. Sweden.
Abstract:
Drug resistance and therapeutic failure are important causes of disease relapse and progression and may be considered as major obstacles preventing cure of cancer patients. Tumors use a large number of molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms to evade chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Important determinants of drug efficacy are the intrinsic pharmacological characteristics of drugs which may be largely affected by the tumor physiology. One feature of solid tumors is the acidic extracellular pH, resulting from metabolic shift and increased metabolic rates combined with low tissue perfusion due to defective vasculature. Besides its role in tumor pathobiology promoting tumor growth and metastasis, the acidic tumor environment creates a chemical barrier for many anticancer drugs, thus limiting their activity. The content of this review will be focused on the pathobiology of tumor acidosis and on its role in therapeutic resistance.
Insights
Tumor acidosis, caused by metabolic shifts, creates a chemical barrier that hinders chemotherapy and targeted therapy effectiveness. This review explores tumor acidity
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug resistance and therapeutic failure are significant barriers to curing cancer patients.
- Tumors employ diverse mechanisms to evade chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
- Tumor physiology, particularly the acidic extracellular pH, significantly impacts drug efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathobiology of tumor acidosis.
- To elucidate the role of tumor acidosis in therapeutic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of tumor pathobiology.
- Analysis of the impact of acidic tumor microenvironment on drug efficacy.
Main Results:
- Solid tumors often exhibit an acidic extracellular pH due to altered metabolism and poor perfusion.
- This acidic tumor environment promotes tumor growth and metastasis.
- The acidic pH acts as a chemical barrier, limiting the activity of many anticancer drugs.
Conclusions:
- Tumor acidosis is a critical factor contributing to therapeutic resistance in cancer.
- Understanding tumor acidity's role is essential for developing strategies to overcome drug resistance.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:21Stomach pH Regulation
The acid-secreting gastric mucosal epithelial cells (parietal cells) lining the stomach lumen maintain the low pH in the lumen. Numerous ion transporters and channels on these parietal...
01:24Diagnosing Acidosis and Alkalosis
First, the pH level is assessed to determine whether the blood pH is normal (7.35–7.45), low (acidosis), or high (alkalosis).
Next, the PCO2 and...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...