SLC22A5 and cancer: There are several reasons that help to explain the LC deficiency found in cancer patients: (1) inadequate diet (e.g., deficiencies in iron, vitamin C, and L-methionine); (2) disruption of L-carnitine production by anthracyclines; (3) increase in renal L-carnitine excretion by cisplatin and ifosfamide; (4) competition with anthracyclines for the carnitine transporter OCTN2, which is required for L-carnitine transfer into cells.