Research Progress on the Role of Lactylation Modification in the Occurrence and Development of Liver Cancer

ZHANG Ziyue¹, ZHOU Cong², ZHANG Zixuan², HUANG Feng^3*, CHAO Xu^1,4*

(¹Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, China; ²Second Clinical Medical College, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, China; ³Ward 2 of the Liver Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, China; 4Scientific Research Office of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, China)

Abstract:

Lactylation is a recently discovered post-translational modification that occurs through the bind ing of lactate molecules to amino acid residues in proteins. HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and there is currently a lack of effective screening and treatment methods for HCC in clinical practice. Lactylation modification can regulate the functions of hepatocellular carcino ma cells through multiple pathways, including extracellular matrix remodeling, modulation of signaling pathways, and metabolic pathways, with significant effects particularly in the regulation of the immune microenvironment. This paper discusses the correlation between lactylation and the occurrence, development, and prognosis of liver cancer, and summarizes the current impact of lactylation on liver cancer and its therapeutic approaches, providing new insights for the development of future treatment strategies for liver cancer.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2025.06.0017