An abnormal tumor microenvironment characterized by hypoxia, low extracellular pH (pHe), vascular abnormalities, and high tumor lactate has been associated with aggressive, treatment-resistant tumors. Using tumor models of different origin and malignancy, and focusing on prostate cancer, we investigated the relationship of lactate metabolism and vascularity, and, in selected models, localized pHe. We found differences in whole-tumor lactate concentrations between tumor models and successfully mapped lactate concentrations. Vascular blood flow and permeability varied significantly between tumor models in well-vascularized areas, while being similar across all models in hypoxic areas, emphasizing a need for spatial characterization of the tumor microenvironment.
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