Origins and Functions of Acetate in Cancer Metabolism and Immune Evasion

Determine the cellular sources and biochemical pathways that generate acetate in cancer cells, quantify acetate’s contribution to tumor metabolic networks, and elucidate whether and how acetate promotes immune evasion in cancer.

Background

The paper reports markedly elevated extracellular acetate in osimertinib-resistant H1975 cells and proposes activation of a pyruvate–acetaldehyde–acetate (PAA) shunt that could supply NADPH and carbon for biosynthesis. Despite these findings, broader understanding of acetate’s role in cancer remains incomplete.

Within this context, the authors explicitly note that fundamental aspects of acetate in cancer biology are not yet established, including where the acetate originates within tumors, the extent to which it fuels metabolic demands, and its possible involvement in immune evasion.