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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Site-Specific Lysine Lactylation via Genetic Code Expansion in E. coli and Mammalian Cells
Published on: February 24, 2026
Lactylation modifications in human cancer: From molecular mechanisms to cancer therapy
Ziying Wang1, Xin Qin1, Jingming Wang1
1Qingdao University, Qingdao Medical College, China.
Background:
First identified as a specific modification in 2019, lysine lactylation has gained prominence as a major focus in oncology and epigenetics, building upon more than a century of foundational research on lactate. This Review systematically summarizes recent advances in lysine lactylation research, examining its role in tumor development and its clinical implications.
Approach:
This review integrates and synthesizes the literature from 2019 to 2026, focusing on the roles of lysine lactylation in tumor metabolism, immunological escape and chemoresistance.
Key Findings:
Once considered a metabolic waste in the tumor microenvironment (TME), lactate now acts as an epigenetic driver by promoting histone lactylation to fuel tumor progression. Research shows that elevated lysine lactylation drives tumor progression, metastasis, immunosuppression, and chemoresistance in multiple cancers. Furthermore, methodological advances, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and specific antibody-based detection, have propelled the in-depth study of lactylation.
Conclusions:
As a key oncogenic modulator, lysine lactylation represents an emerging target for precision cancer therapy. Advances in detection and mechanistic insight make lactylation a promising target for precision cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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