LAT1 transporter as a target for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy

Breast cancer is the main cause of female malignant tumor death in China. Numerous cellular molecules are associated with the onset and progression of breast cancer. However, these molecules have proven ineffective for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, indicating a need for the identification of new biomarkers. LAT1 (SLC7A5) plays a crucial role in mediating the uptake of amino acids into breast cancer cells, influencing proliferation, invasion, migration, drug resistance, and prognosis through the mTOR signaling pathway. Notably, LAT1 exhibits differential expression across various types of breast cancer, positioning it as a promising candidate for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Recent advancements in LAT1-targeting strategies for breast cancer have been made, particularly with the rapid developments in small molecular inhibitors and nanotechnology. In this article, we review the structure and function of LAT1, its relationship with breast cancer, and LAT1-mediated diagnostic and treatment strategies. This article specifically focuses on the LAT1-targeting strategy in breast tumors, aiming to evaluate its potential role as a novel biomarker for diagnosis and treatment.