Killing two birds with one stone: Blocking the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier to inhibit lactate uptake by cancer cells and radiosensitize tumors

ABSTRACT

Lactate-based metabolic symbiosis between glycolytic and oxidative cancer cells is known to facilitate tumor growth. We have recently demonstrated that 7ACC2 blocks extracellular lactate uptake via the inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier. 7ACC2 also prevents compensatory glucose oxidation, induces tumor reoxygenation and potentiates radiotherapy, making it a promising anticancer drug.

KEYWORDS:

• lactate
• mitochondrial pyruvate carrier
• metabolic symbiosis
• monocarboxylate transporter
• cancer
• radiation therapy

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FRS-FNRS). C.V.L. is the recipient of a PhD fellowship from FNRS-Télévie and C.C. is a senior FRS-FNRS postdoctoral fellow.