Aldehyde and seek: Toxic aldehydes drive exhaustion in tumor-infiltrating T cells

Sci Immunol. 2026 Feb 6;11(116):eaef9196. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aef9196. Epub 2026 Feb 6.

Abstract

Aldehydes accumulating in response to reduced fatty acid oxidation in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes damage mitochondria and drive T cell exhaustion.

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes* / immunology
  • Aldehydes* / metabolism
  • Aldehydes* / toxicity
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / immunology
  • Mitochondria / immunology
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / immunology

Substances

  • Aldehydes