Fig. 6

Lactate-rich tumor microenvironment promotes LCN2 expression and tumor progression. The Warburg effect leads to a lactate-rich tumor microenvironment (TME) due to aerobic glycolysis, where LDHA-driven lactate production activates STAT3 signaling. This activation induces LCN2 expression in the lactate-rich TME. The increased production of LCN2 plays a crucial role in tumor progression, promoting an aggressive cancer phenotype.