LAUSR

Deregulated proliferation of tumor is generally associated with altered energy metabolism. A high rate of anaerobic glycolysis in solid tumors contributes to an acidification of pH to ~6.7-7.2 in the tumor microenvironment and lactate accumulation. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment can be educated by tumor cells. Tumor-derived lactate induces polarization of M2 macrophage and promotes tumor invasion and metastasis. However, a particular challenge is to sustain lactate depletion. We propose that the repolarization of tumor-supportive M2 macrophage to tumor-suppressive M1 macrophage after depletion of lactate by lactate oxidase (LOX) released from the hydrogels in the tumor microenvironment may enhance antitumor treatment efficacy.