# Dysfunction of exhausted T cells is enforced by MCT11-mediated lactate metabolism

*PRI Rank #7 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Immune Cell Function and Interaction Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/immune-cell-function-and-interaction/2026/rank-7*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #7 |
| 18m citations | 130 |
| Journal | Nature Immunology |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41590-024-01999-3 |
| Corresponding authors | Greg M. Delgoffe |
| Institution | University of Pittsburgh, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Immune Cell Function and Interaction Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/immune-cell-function-and-interaction/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1038/s41590-024-01999-3](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-024-01999-3)

## Topics

T cell exhaustion · MCT11 · MCT11 · lactate metabolism · monocarboxylate transporter · CD8+ T cells · Tumor microenvironment · T cell receptor stimulation · Co-inhibitory receptors · T cell polyfunctionality · conditional gene deletion · antibody-mediated targeting · lactic acid uptake · Antitumor immunity · mouse tumor model · immunosuppressive metabolism · Terminally exhausted T cells · effector function restoration · Tumor growth inhibition

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Immune Cell Function and Interaction Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/immune-cell-function-and-interaction/2026. Accessed 2026-07-16.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```