Lactylation in colorectal cancer: From mechanism to clinical application

Lactylation is an emerging epigenetic modification that dynamically modifies lysine residues of histones and non-histones through lactate, thereby regulating protein function and gene expression. In recent years, the role of lactylation in cancer has garnered significant attention, as it plays a key role in metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion, tumor metastasis, and drug resistance. Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common malignant tumors globally, is closely associated with lactylation. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms of lactylation and its biological functions in the occurrence and development of CRC. Given the limited current research on lactylation and CRC, we also summarize the role of lactylation in cancer and the directions and progress of targeted lactylation therapy for cancer.