This study presented the following potential rationales as to the advantages that lactic acid could provide to the tumor: 1) induction of cell death in neighboring stromal cells due to necrosis or caspase-mediated apoptosis pathways thus producing potential space into which the tumor cells may proliferate; 2) promotion of angiogenesis through acid-induced release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-8; 3) promotion of extracellular matrix degradation by inducing normal cells to release proteolytic enzymes; or 4) inhibition of immune response to tumor antigens. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is neoplasm.