Lactate: Key to Fighting Cancer and Inflammation Discovered!

Lactate: Key to Fighting Cancer and Inflammation Discovered!

On September 12, 2025, the University Hospital Essen, in collaboration with the University of Duisburg-Essen, published new findings about the role of lactate in the human body and its potential therapeutic applications. Lactate, which is primarily produced in muscle cells during physical exertion, could have far-reaching interactions in other cells in the body. The researchers are particularly interested in the hypothesis that lactate, together with iron, could form a defense system against oxidative stress. These findings may open up new therapeutic options in medicine, particularly in cancer therapy as well as in neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases.

Lactate is produced not only in muscle cells, but also in tumor cells, astrocytes in the brain, and fibroblasts during inflammation. What is particularly noteworthy is that many of these cells contain high amounts of iron, which can easily participate in chemical reactions. Oxidative stress results from an overabundance of harmful forms of oxygen, such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), in cells. Excessive presence of H₂O₂ can attack cellular components, eventually leading to cell death. Lactate could act as a cell protective shield by intercepting these aggressive forms of oxygen and thus reducing cell damage.

Therapeutic approaches and medical relevance

Confirmation of the hypothesis that lactate acts as a protective shield could have far-reaching consequences for targeting the mechanism. In cancer therapy, this protective shield could be weakened by tumor cells, which could increase sensitivity to therapies. At the same time, the protective shield could be strengthened in autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative diseases, which represents a promising approach to treatment. These results were also published in the journal Redox Biology.

Furthermore, further research shows that lactate not only plays a role in the metabolic balance of cells, but also has significant effects on the tumor microenvironment (TME). It affects tumor growth and immune responses, accompanied by a shift in the polarization of immune cells. Studies show that increased lactate levels inhibit effector immune cells such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, while supporting immune suppressive cells such as regulatory T cells. This promotes an immunosuppressive environment that allows tumors to evade immune defenses, thus creating a greater challenge in cancer therapy.

Mechanisms and clinical relevance

Lactate also activates important signaling pathways such as NF-κB and TLRs, which are involved in the regulation of immunity, inflammation and stress responses. These signaling pathways are crucial for modulating inflammatory responses in acute and chronic diseases. An important function of lactate is to influence the polarization of macrophages. High lactate concentrations tend to promote M2 polarization, which is associated with tissue healing, while at the same time inhibiting pro-inflammatory processes.

The clinical relevance of these findings is enormous. Monitoring serum lactate levels can provide important information in various diseases and support treatment decisions. In addition, numerous clinical trials are in preparation to develop drugs that specifically influence lactate production and transport with the aim of increasing therapeutic effectiveness.

In summary, lactate plays a multifunctional role in the body. The new findings could have far-reaching implications for future therapeutic approaches, particularly in cancer therapy and the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Exploring and understanding the underlying mechanisms could not only improve patient outcomes but also lead to new treatment strategies that restore immune function and increase therapy effectiveness.

University of Duisburg-Essen reports that… The National Institutes of Health explains… PubMed points to…