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The Immune Consequences of Lactate in the Tumor Microenvironment

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Tumor Microenvironment

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1259))

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment consists of complex and dynamic networks of cytokines, growth factors, and metabolic products. These contribute to significant alterations in tissue architecture, cell growth, immune cell phenotype, and function. Increased glycolytic flux is commonly observed in solid tumors and is associated with significant changes in metabolites, generating high levels of lactate. While elevated glycolytic flux is a characteristic metabolic adaption of tumor cells, glycolysis is also a key metabolic program utilized by a variety of inflammatory immune cells. As such lactate and the pH changes associated with lactate transport affect not only tumor cells but also immune cells. Here we provide an overview of lactate metabolic pathways and the effects lactate has on tumor growth and immune cell function. This knowledge provides opportunities for synergistic therapeutic approaches that combine metabolic drugs, which limit tumor growth and support immune cell function, together with immunotherapies to enhance tumor eradication.

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Author notes

  1. Cathal Harmon, Cliona O’Farrelly and Mark W. Robinson contributed equally with all other contributors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Cathal Harmon

  2. School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Cathal Harmon & Cliona O’Farrelly

  3. School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Cliona O’Farrelly

  4. Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland

    Mark W. Robinson

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  1. Cathal Harmon
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  2. Cliona O’Farrelly
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  3. Mark W. Robinson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark W. Robinson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Alexander Birbrair

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Harmon, C., O’Farrelly, C., Robinson, M.W. (2020). The Immune Consequences of Lactate in the Tumor Microenvironment. In: Birbrair, A. (eds) Tumor Microenvironment. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1259. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43093-1_7

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