Low extracellular pH protects cancer cells from ammonia toxicity.

A recent preprint abstract suggests that high levels of ammonia in the interstitial fluid of tumors can have detrimental effects on cancer cells. The study found that ammonia represses cell growth, induces genome instability, and inhibits lysosome-mediated proteolysis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the researchers discovered that small fluctuations in extracellular pH can significantly impact the cytotoxic effects of ammonia. This research highlights the importance of understanding the balance of pH and ammonia in the tumor microenvironment for the behavior and fate of cancer cells. However, it is important to note that this preprint has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]