Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40399795›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Lactate-associated gene MCU promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Yuhang Chen, Fenglin Zhang, Suoyi Dai, Jiangang Zhao, Wenxun Cai, Ke Zhang, Xinghe Liao, Lianyu Chen

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yuhang Chen *Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Fenglin Zhang *Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Suoyi Dai *Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Jiangang ZhaoDepartment of Oncology, Shaoxing Central Hospital, Shaoxing, 312030, China.
Wenxun CaiDepartment of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Ke ZhangShanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200082, China.
Xinghe LiaoDepartment of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. fdzlxinghe@163.com.
Lianyu ChenDepartment of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China. lianyu-chen@hotmail.com.

Funding

Fudan University DIGAOJIAN Project No.DGF601020-1the National Natural Science Foundation of China 82174169
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe metabolism of lactate and lactylation of proteins are believed to influence tumor development through their effects on the tumor microenvironment and immune escape mechanisms. Nevertheless, its significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has yet to be fully understood. This investigation sought to assess the predictive value and treatment implications of lactate-related genes (LRGs) in PDAC.

methodsWe analyzed PDAC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), identifying LRGs. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and consensus clustering, we delineated lactate subtypes and extracted differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analyses were conducted to explore pathways. A lactate-linked risk signature was constructed using Lasso-Cox regression, and its prognostic value was validated. In vitro experiments were executed to examine the function of MCU in PDAC cells. In vitro experiments were conducted to detect the malignant potential of MCU in PDAC cells and its effect on lactic acid metabolism.

resultsTwo lactate subtypes were identified, with distinct gene expression profiles and clinical outcomes. The risk signature, comprising four LRGs, predicted survival with significant accuracy. In vitro, MCU knockdown reduced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness, confirming its role in PDAC malignancy. At the same time, it can also inhibit lactate production and glycolysis processes.

conclusionOur investigation underscores the importance of LRGs in PDAC, providing a novel prognostic signature and therapeutic target.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Pancreatic DuctalLactic AcidPancreatic NeoplasmsBiomarkers, TumorCell Line, TumorCell MovementCell ProliferationGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansNeoplasm InvasivenessPrognosisTumor MicroenvironmentBiomarkers, TumorLactic AcidLactateMCUPancreatic adenocarcinomaPrognosisTumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID40399795
PMCPMC12096505

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.