SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis

Background: SLC16A3, a highly expressed H + -coupled symporter, facilitates lactate transport via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), contributing to acidosis. Although SLC16A3 has been implicated in tumor development, its role in tumor immunity remains unclear. Methods: A pan-cancer analysis was c...

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Main Authors: Wenxing Du, Bo Zang, Yang Wo, Shiwei Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825001219
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author Wenxing Du
Bo Zang
Yang Wo
Shiwei Chen
author_facet Wenxing Du
Bo Zang
Yang Wo
Shiwei Chen
author_sort Wenxing Du
collection DOAJ
description Background: SLC16A3, a highly expressed H + -coupled symporter, facilitates lactate transport via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), contributing to acidosis. Although SLC16A3 has been implicated in tumor development, its role in tumor immunity remains unclear. Methods: A pan-cancer analysis was conducted using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, and Genotype-Tissue Expression projects. SLC16A3 expression patterns and associations with tumor progression, prognosis, immune checkpoints, and immune neoantigens were evaluated across 30 cancer types. Immune infiltration scores were analyzed using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource dataset. Results: SLC16A3 expression is differentially regulated in cancer versus healthy tissues, with elevated levels associated with poor prognosis and reduced overall survival in glioblastoma multiforme (HR = 1.88), low-grade gliomas (HR = 1.51), and lung adenocarcinoma (HR = 1.33). Notably, significant associations between SLC16A3 expression and poor outcomes were observed in 33 cancers, except for rectum adenocarcinoma, testicular germ cell tumors, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, and adrenocortical carcinoma. SLC16A3 expression was also strongly linked to immune checkpoints and neoantigens. Correlations with tumor-infiltrating immune cells were pronounced in prostate adenocarcinoma but absent in uterine carcinosarcoma and cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed a pivotal role of SLC16A3 in tumor growth, metabolism, and immunity. Conclusion: SLC16A3, the transporter facilitating the efflux of lactic acid, shows differential expression across various cancer types and exerts a critical effect on tumor development and immunity. Thus, SLC16A3 has promising potential as a prognostic marker, and its targeted manipulation can offer therapeutic advantages.
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spelling doaj-art-412f8a8317774728a041c94c978e9d4e2025-08-20T02:17:09ZengElsevierBiochemistry and Biophysics Reports2405-58082025-06-014210203410.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102034SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysisWenxing Du0Bo Zang1Yang Wo2Shiwei Chen3Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaDepartment of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaThe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Corresponding author. The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, No 16 Zhuji Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong, 510145, China.Background: SLC16A3, a highly expressed H + -coupled symporter, facilitates lactate transport via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), contributing to acidosis. Although SLC16A3 has been implicated in tumor development, its role in tumor immunity remains unclear. Methods: A pan-cancer analysis was conducted using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, and Genotype-Tissue Expression projects. SLC16A3 expression patterns and associations with tumor progression, prognosis, immune checkpoints, and immune neoantigens were evaluated across 30 cancer types. Immune infiltration scores were analyzed using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource dataset. Results: SLC16A3 expression is differentially regulated in cancer versus healthy tissues, with elevated levels associated with poor prognosis and reduced overall survival in glioblastoma multiforme (HR = 1.88), low-grade gliomas (HR = 1.51), and lung adenocarcinoma (HR = 1.33). Notably, significant associations between SLC16A3 expression and poor outcomes were observed in 33 cancers, except for rectum adenocarcinoma, testicular germ cell tumors, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, and adrenocortical carcinoma. SLC16A3 expression was also strongly linked to immune checkpoints and neoantigens. Correlations with tumor-infiltrating immune cells were pronounced in prostate adenocarcinoma but absent in uterine carcinosarcoma and cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed a pivotal role of SLC16A3 in tumor growth, metabolism, and immunity. Conclusion: SLC16A3, the transporter facilitating the efflux of lactic acid, shows differential expression across various cancer types and exerts a critical effect on tumor development and immunity. Thus, SLC16A3 has promising potential as a prognostic marker, and its targeted manipulation can offer therapeutic advantages.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825001219SLC16A3 (MCT4)Lactic acidGlycolysisPan-cancer analysisImmunity
spellingShingle Wenxing Du
Bo Zang
Yang Wo
Shiwei Chen
SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
SLC16A3 (MCT4)
Lactic acid
Glycolysis
Pan-cancer analysis
Immunity
title SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis
title_full SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis
title_fullStr SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis
title_full_unstemmed SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis
title_short SLC16A3 (MCT4) expression in tumor immunity and Metabolism: Insights from pan-cancer analysis
title_sort slc16a3 mct4 expression in tumor immunity and metabolism insights from pan cancer analysis
topic SLC16A3 (MCT4)
Lactic acid
Glycolysis
Pan-cancer analysis
Immunity
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825001219
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