The cGAS/STING Pathway: A Novel Target for Cancer Therapy

Yu Gan; Xiaoying Li; Shuangze Han; Qi Liang; Xiaoqian Ma; Pengfei Rong; Wei Wang; Wei Li

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.795401

The cGAS/STING Pathway: A Novel Target for Cancer Therapy

Front Immunol. 2022 Jan 3:12:795401. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.795401. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Yu Gan¹, Xiaoying Li¹, Shuangze Han¹, Qi Liang^{1

2}, Xiaoqian Ma^{1

2}, Pengfei Rong^{1

2}, Wei Wang^{1

2}, Wei Li^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
² Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

As a DNA receptor, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) plays a crucial role in the immune system by recognizing abnormal DNA in the cytoplasm and activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. This signaling cascade reaction leads to an immune response produced by type I interferon and other immune mediators. Recent advances in research have enhanced our current understanding of the potential role of the cGAS/STING pathway in anticancer therapy; however, in some cases, chronic STING activation may promote tumorigenesis. The present review article discusses the biological mechanisms of the cGAS/STING pathway, its dichotomous role in tumors, and the latest advances with respect to STING agonists and antagonists.

Keywords: STING agonists; cGAS-STING; cancer; combined therapy; immunotherapy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Immunotherapy / methods
Membrane Proteins / immunology*
Membrane Proteins / metabolism
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / immunology*
Nucleotidyltransferases / immunology*
Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism
Signal Transduction / immunology

Substances

Membrane Proteins
STING1 protein, human
Nucleotidyltransferases
cGAS protein, human