Interruption of lactate uptake by inhibiting mitochondrial pyruvate transport unravels direct antitumor and radiosensitizing effects

Abstract

Tumor cells can fuel their metabolism with lactate. Here the authors show that inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) blocks extracellular lactate uptake by promoting intracellular pyruvate accumulation and inhibits oxidative metabolism, ultimately resulting in cytotoxicity and radiosensitization.