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The emerging role of lactate in tumor microenvironment and its clinical relevance
Sihan Chen1, Yining Xu1, Wei Zhuo1
1Department of Cell Biology and Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
In recent years, the significant impact of lactate in the tumor microenvironment has been greatly documented. Acting not only as an energy substance in tumor metabolism, lactate is also an imperative signaling molecule. It plays key roles in metabolic remodeling, protein lactylation, immunosuppression, drug resistance, epigenetics and tumor metastasis, which has a tight relation with cancer patients' poor prognosis. This review illustrates the roles lactate plays in different aspects of tumor progression and drug resistance. From the comprehensive effects that lactate has on tumor metabolism and tumor immunity, the therapeutic targets related to it are expected to bring new hope for cancer therapy.
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