Scientists reviewed how cancer cells use two transport proteins to shuttle lactate (a byproduct of sugar breakdown) in and out of tumors, helping cancer grow, resist treatment, and evade the immune system; the review maps out which drug candidates actually block this process effectively.
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MCT1 primarily handles lactate uptake into cells while MCT4 exports lactate from oxygen-starved, glycolytic tumor cells, creating a division of labor within tumors
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The review distinguishes transporters that are merely present (expressed) from those a tumor actually depends on functionally, a key distinction for drug targeting
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MCT-targeting drugs are categorized by selectivity (nonselective, MCT1-selective, MCT4-selective, or dual) and evaluated on potency, safety, and clinical readiness
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