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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Establishment of an Extracellular Acidic pH Culture System

Establishment of an Extracellular Acidic pH Culture System

Published on: November 19, 2017

Tumor Microenvironment: Lactic Acid Promotes Tumor Development.

Yuting Gao¹, Hao Zhou¹, Gege Liu¹

¹Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.

Journal of Immunology Research

|June 23, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Lactic acid, a product of glycolysis, fuels tumor growth and impacts the immune system. Inhibiting lactic acid production offers a promising new cancer treatment strategy and potential biomarker.

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Last Updated: Sep 7, 2025

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Published on: November 19, 2017

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

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MAME Models for 4D Live-cell Imaging of Tumor: Microenvironment Interactions that Impact Malignant Progression

MAME Models for 4D Live-cell Imaging of Tumor: Microenvironment Interactions that Impact Malignant Progression

Published on: February 17, 2012

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Metabolism
Immunology

Background:

Lactic acid, a glycolysis byproduct, is increasingly recognized for its role in human malignancies.
Tumor tissues exhibit higher lactic acid levels than normal tissues, indicating its importance in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the multifaceted role of lactic acid in tumor formation, metastasis, prognosis, and treatment.
To explore lactic acid's impact on the tumor microenvironment and immune cells.
To evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting lactic acid metabolism.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on lactic acid's role in cancer.
Analysis of lactic acid's effects on tumor microenvironment and immune responses.
Evaluation of therapeutic interventions targeting lactic acid pathways.

Main Results:

Lactic acid accumulation in the tumor microenvironment promotes acidosis, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and tumor cell proliferation.
Lactate acts as an immunomodulatory molecule affecting innate and adaptive immunity.
Disrupted lactate homeostasis is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions:

Inhibiting lactic acid synthesis and blocking its source presents a novel therapeutic avenue for cancer patients.
Lactic acid levels may serve as valuable biomarkers for disease staging and treatment efficacy monitoring.
Targeting lactate metabolism can enhance anti-cancer immune responses by modulating the tumor microenvironment.