Int J Stomatol

Int J Stomatol ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 247-256.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2026025

• Reviews • Previous Articles    

Progress in research on lactic acid and lactylation modification in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Yingxin Fu1,2(),Zhiyu Gu2,Ling Zhou2,Long Lin2,Jing Lin2,Yunkun Liu2()   

  1. 1.The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
    2.Stomatology Hospital Affiliated to Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
  • Received:2025-05-28 Revised:2025-07-28 Online:2026-03-01 Published:2026-02-13
  • Contact: Yunkun Liu E-mail:fuyx0611@163.com;121438062@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Science and Technology Foundation of Guizhou Provincial Health Commission(gzwkj2025-457);Natural Science Research Project of Higher Education Institutions, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education([2024]128)

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Abstract:

Lactic acid, a product of anaerobic glycolysis, has long been considered a metabolic waste product. How-ever, recent advancements in lactic acid research have established its crucial roles in signal transduction, metabolic regulation, immune modulation, and energy metabolism. Protein lactylation, a novel post-translational modification mediated by lactic acid, can directly modify protein chemical structure and function, enhance gene transcription, mo-dulate cell phenotypes, and contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Oral squamous cell carcinoma, a highly prevalent malignant tumor in the head and neck region, generates substantial amounts of lactic acid via the glycolytic pathway to fuel tumor cells and supply biosynthetic precursors. Furthermore, lactic acid affects tumorigenesis and progression by mediating epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. This review summarizes recent research progress on the roles of lactic acid and protein lactylation in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma. It not only reveals how lactate and lactylation influence tumorigenesis but also highlights that targeting lactate metabolism and its modification processes may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, this work offers a novel perspective and theoretical basis for metabolic interventions combined with epigenetic therapy.

Key words: lactic acid, lactylation modification, oral squamous cell carcinoma, glycolysis, lactate dehydrogenase, epigenetic regulation

CLC Number: 

  • R739.81

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