The role and application prospect of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in tumor treatment

VernacularTitle:cGAS-STING信号通路在肿瘤治疗中的作用与应用前景
Author: Yanping GAO ; Xueping JIANG ; Xingyu LIU ; Jiarui CHEN ; Yan GONG ; Conghua XIE
From: Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2021;30(5):518-522
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Novel cancer immunotherapy can treat tumors through regulating innate immunity and adaptive immune system. cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a key regulator of innate immune response to both exogenous and endogenous DNA. After recognizing the cytoplasmic DNA, cGAS produces the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which subsequently combines with the adaptor STING (also known as MITA, MPYS and ERIS) to mediate innate immunity by inducing the production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have revealed that the cGAS/STING signaling pathway can be activated by tumor-derived DNA and by-products of genomic instability and affect the incidence and development of tumors, which plays a critical role in the natural antitumor immunity across cancer types and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. In this article, current understanding of cGAS/STING signaling pathway in tumors was summarized, the pivotal role in tumor immunity and radiotherapy was highlighted, and the potential targeted or alternative therapy of this signaling pathway was reviewed.