Lactate beyond waste: lactylation as a therapeutic target in glioma.

Lactylation is a post-translational modification in which lactate molecules interact with proteins through an esterification reaction to form lactylated proteins. This modification can influence protein function, stability, and interactions, thereby playing crucial roles in various biological processes. Due to tumor-specific metabolic reprogramming, elevated lactate levels are commonly observed in the tumor microenvironment. As a result, lactylation plays a significant role within this context, exerting profound effects on tumor cell survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review examines current research on tumor acetylation, with a particular focus on gliomas, and analyzes its biological impact, discussing the underlying regulatory mechanisms. These insights may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic targets and strategies for cancer treatment.