Immune Regulation of the cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Clinical Application

Feifei Pu; Fengxia Chen; Jianxiang Liu; Zhicai Zhang; Zengwu Shao

doi:10.2147/OTT.S298958

Immune Regulation of the cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Clinical Application

Onco Targets Ther. 2021 Mar 1:14:1501-1516. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S298958. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Feifei Pu^#¹, Fengxia Chen^#², Jianxiang Liu¹, Zhicai Zhang¹, Zengwu Shao¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

As a DNA receptor in the cytoplasm, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) contributes to the recognition of abnormal DNA in the cytoplasm and contributes to the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. cGAS could mediate the expression of interferon-related genes, inflammatory-related factors, and downstream chemokines, thus initiating the immune response. The STING protein is a key effector downstream of the DNA receptor pathway. It is widely expressed across cell types such as immune cells, tumor cells, and stromal cells and plays a role in signal transduction for cytoplasmic DNA sensing and immunity. STING agonists, as novel agonists, are used in preclinical research and in the treatment of various tumors via clinical trials and have displayed attractive application prospects. Studying the cGAS-STING signaling pathway will deepen our understanding of tumor immunity and provide a basis for the research and development of antitumor drugs.

Keywords: STING; cGAS; drug discovery; immunotherapy; innate immunity; tumor.

Publication types

Review