Lactate Transporters in the Context of Prostate Cancer Metabolism: What Do We Know?

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Nelma Pértega-Gomes¹  Fátima Baltazar¹ 

[1] Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; E-Mail:

关键词: prostate cancer;    monocarboxylate transporters;    cancer metabolism;    therapeutic targets;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms151018333

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Metabolic changes during malignant transformation have been noted for many years in tumours. Otto Warburg first reported that cancer cells preferentially rely on glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen, leading to the production of high levels of lactate. The crucial role of lactate efflux and exchange within the tumour microenvironment drew attention to monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). MCTs have been recognized as promising targets in cancer therapy, and their expression was described in a large variety of tumours; however, studies showing how these isoforms contribute to the acquisition of the malignant phenotype are scarce and still unclear regarding prostate cancer. In this review, we focus on the role for MCTs in cell metabolism, supporting the development and progression of prostate cancer, and discuss the exploitation of the metabolic nature of prostate cancer for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.