cGAS–STING: From immunology and oncology view

Abstract The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase–stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) pathway is a cornerstone of host innate immunity, playing a central role in detecting cytosolic double-stranded DNA of both endogenous and exogenous origins. Upon activation, cGAS synthesizes the second messenger 2′3′-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which binds and activates STING to trigger downstream immune responses, including the production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. Emerging studies highlight the cGAS–STING pathway as a promising therapeutic target for preventing and treating diverse pathologies, with particularly transformative potential in anticancer therapies. In this review, we dissect the key findings, functions, and associated components of the cGAS–STING pathway. In addition, we emphasize the factors that upregulate or downregulate the pathway, as well as the role of the cGAS–STING pathway in health and disease. By integrating mechanistic insights with clinical perspectives, this review aims to bridge fundamental discoveries with therapeutic applications of cGAS–STING biology.

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  Chinese Medical Journal

• Publication date

  2025-11-10

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003889PMID 41213860PMCID 12700745
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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