Suppressive effects of 3-bromopyruvate on the proliferation and the motility of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Role of lactate and lactate metabolism in liver diseases (Review)

Lactate is a byproduct of glycolysis, and before the Warburg effect was revealed (in which glucose can be fermented in the presence of oxygen to produce lactate) it was considered a metabolic waste product. At present, lactate is not only recognized as a metabolic substrate that provides energy, but also as a signaling molecule that regulates cellular functions under pathophysiological conditions. Lactylation, a post‑translational modification, is involved in the development of various diseases, including inflammation and tumors. Liver disease is a major health challenge worldwide. In normal liver, there is a net lactate uptake caused by gluconeogenesis, exhibiting a higher net lactate clearance rate compared with any other organ. Therefore, abnormalities of lactate and lactate metabolism lead to the development of liver disease, and lactate and lactate metabolism‑related genes can be used for predicting the prognosis of liver disease. Targeting lactate production, regulating lactate transport and modulating lactylation may be potential treatment approaches for liver disease. However, currently there is not a systematic review that summarizes the role of lactate and lactate metabolism in liver diseases. In the present review, the role of lactate and lactate metabolism in liver diseases including liver fibrosis, non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease, acute liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma was summarized with the aim to provide insights for future research.

Research progress of abnormal lactate metabolism and lactate modification in immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumors meet their energy, biosynthesis, and redox demands through metabolic reprogramming. This metabolic abnormality results in elevated levels of metabolites, particularly lactate, in the tumor microenvironment. Immune cell reprogramming and cellular plasticity mediated by lactate and lactylation increase immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and are emerging as key factors in regulating tumor development, metastasis, and the effectiveness of immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Reprogramming of glucose metabolism and the "Warburg effect" in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lead to the massive production and accumulation of lactate, so lactate modification in tumor tissue is likely to be abnormal as well. This article reviews the immune regulation of abnormal lactate metabolism and lactate modification in hepatocellular carcinoma and the therapeutic strategy of targeting lactate-immunotherapy, which will help to better guide the medication and treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Novel insights into the anti-cancer effects of 3-bromopyruvic acid against castration-resistant prostate cancer

3-bromopyruvic acid (3-BP), a small molecule alkylating agent, has been emerged as a glycolytic inhibitor with anticancer activities. However, the effects of 3-BP on the growth and metastasis in prostate cancer have not been well investigated. Here we investigated the anti-cancer effects of 3-BP on prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cell growth, apoptosis, migration, motility, and invasion were examined. The tumor growth ability was determined using a xenograft murine model. Transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq was performed to explore the mechanism of action of 3-BP. Our experimental results showed that 3-BP effectively inhibits prostate cancer cell growth, especially in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. Moreover, 3-BP induces apoptosis and suppresses cell migration, motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and invasion in CRPC cells. In addition, 3-BP also attenuates tumor growth in a xenograft murine model. Through transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq, 3-BP significantly regulates the cell cycle pathway and decreases the expression of downstream cycle cycle-associated genes in CRPC cells. The results of cell cycle analysis indicated that 3-BP arrests cell cycle progression at G2/M in CRPC cells. These results suggest that 3-BP has the potential in inhibiting CRPC progression and might be a promising drug for CRPC treatment.